Available on YouTube with Captions in several languages
• The story follows Sunako, a mixed-race teenager living in Yokohama, Japan, in the early 1930s. Sunako attends a Catholic school and navigates the complexities of friendship, love, and betrayal. When a charming playboy named Henry enters their lives, he disrupts the dynamic between Sunako and her best friend, Dora. A passionate, yet short-lived affair with Henry leaves Sunako heartbroken and consumed by jealousy. This emotional turmoil culminates in a tragic act of violence that forever alters the lives of all involved.
Themes: The film explores themes of love, loss, jealousy, redemption, and the societal challenges faced by mixed-race individuals in Japan during that era. Shimizu masterfully utilizes visual storytelling techniques and innovative camerawork to convey the characters' inner turmoil and the emotional weight of their actions.
Critical Acclaim: "Japanese Girls at the Harbor" is considered a masterpiece of Japanese Silent Film.
Cast: The film stars Michiko Oikawa as Sunako, Yumeko Aizome as Dora, and Ken Uehara as Henry.
• Cinematography: The film's cinematography is notable for its use of close-ups, expressive lighting, and dynamic camera movements.
"If you're interested in delving deeper into Shimizu's filmography, here are some recommendations:
Four Seasons of Childhood (1939): A heartwarming collection of four interconnected stories about children, showcasing Shimizu's talent for capturing the magic of childhood.
An Inn of Tokyo (1935): A charming comedy of errors set in a bustling Tokyo inn, offering a slice-of-life look at pre-war urban Japan.
The Loyal Wife (1953): A historical drama based on a kabuki play, showcasing Shimizu's ability to adapt traditional stories for the screen." From Bard
What a romantic, but also sad, image on the playbill. I'm intrigued.
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