After the Rain (film)

After the Rain (雨あがる, Ame agaru) is a 1999 Japanese and French film. The story is based on the last script written by Akira Kurosawa and is directed by his former assistant director of 28 years, Takashi Koizumi. It was awarded a Japanese Academy Award in 1999. It was chosen as Best Film at the Japan Academy Prize ceremony.[2]

After the Rain
Japanese film poster
Directed byTakashi Koizumi
Screenplay byAkira Kurosawa[1]
Story byShugoro Yamamoto
Produced byMasato Hara[1]
Starring
CinematographyShoji Ueda[1]
Edited byHideto Aga[1]
Music byMasaru Sato[1]
Production
companies
  • Asmik Ace Entertainment
  • Kurosawa Production
  • 7 Films Cinema[1]
Distributed byToho[1]
Release date
  • September 5, 1999 (1999-09-05) (Venice Film Festival)
  • January 22, 2000 (2000-01-22) (Japan)
  • May 3, 2000 (2000-05-03) (France)
Running time
91 minutes[1]
Countries
  • Japan
  • France[1]

Synopsis

A group of travelers are stranded in a small country inn when the local river floods. As the bad weather continues, tensions rise amongst the travelers trapped at the inn. A traveling rōnin (masterless samurai), Ihei Misawa takes it upon himself to cheer everyone up by arranging a splendid feast. Unfortunately he has no money and in order to pay for the feast he visits the local dojos and challenges the masters there for payment, termed in the film as prize fighting. Later, after breaking up a duel between two young retainers of the local clan, the daimyō Shigeaki was impressed by Misawa's skill and temperament, Lord Shigeaki offers Misawa employment as a sword master. Misawa has a tense interaction with the lord and his retainers, revealing his prowess at their expense.

The film also shows the tender relationship he has with his wife, Tayo, and provides insights into the way of life of a rōnin's wife.

Cast

Release

After the Rain premiered at the Venice Film Festival on October 25, 1999.[1] It was released in Japan on January 22, 2000 where it was distributed by Toho.[1] It was released in France on May 3, 2000 where it was distributed by Opening Distribution.[3]

Reception

A review by Matt Schley of The Japan Times wrote that "After the Rain takes a prickly premise and gives us a story about two people with broken dreams that just might be mendable. A live-action adaptation of the manga (...), and time will tell if that film can match the anime's quiet grace and subtlety. In the meantime, stream this one on a rainy day with a cup of coffee or two", criticizing the timeframe of the film.[4]

Awards

Notes
  1. Galbraith IV 2008, p. 413.
  2. "Awards for Ame agaru (1999)" (in Japanese). Internet Movie Database. Archived from the original on 12 April 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
  3. "Ame agaru (1999)" (in French). Bifi.fr. Archived from the original on December 10, 2006. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  4. Schley, Matt (5 April 2018). "'After the Rain': A problematic love story deftly presented with emotional heft". The Japan Times. Retrieved 30 October 2021.

Bibliography
  • Galbraith IV, Stuart (2008). The Toho Studios Story: A History and Complete Filmography. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-1461673743.
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