Memories of Matsuko (2006)
"Kiraware Matsuko no isshô" (original title)

Shou's father Norio finds his son in a rather meaningless existence in Tokyo dominated by alcohol and porn videos. Having left home two years earlier to pursue life as a musician, Shou has ... See full summary »

Director:

Tetsuya Nakashima

Writers:

Tetsuya Nakashima (screenplay), Muneki Yamada (novel)

Stars:

Miki Nakatani, Eita, Yûsuke Iseya

12 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Miki Nakatani	...	Matsuko Kawajiri
Eita	...	Shô Kawajiri
Yûsuke Iseya	...	Yôichi Ryû (as Yusuke Iseya)
Mikako Ichikawa	...	Kumi Kawajiri
Asuka Kurosawa	...	Megumi Sawamura
Gori	...	Shûji Ôkura
Shinji Takeda	...	Onodera
YosiYosi Arakawa	...	Kenji Shimazu
Gekidan Hitori	...	Takeo Okano
Magy	...	Detective
Shôsuke Tanihara	...	Shunji Saeki
Takanori Takeyama	...	Vice-Principal
Masahiro Kômoto	...	Man with Stand on School Trip
Nagisa Katahira	...	Herself
Takuzô Kadono	...	Principal

Storyline

Shou's father Norio finds his son in a rather meaningless existence in Tokyo dominated by alcohol and porn videos. Having left home two years earlier to pursue life as a musician, Shou has left his band and his girlfriend has left him. His father asks a favor, that Shou clean out the apartment of his aunt Matsuko, who he says led a meaningless life until her murder at the age of 53. The apartment is filled with garbage bags and is even more unkempt than his apartment has become, and he becomes intrigued with his aunt as details of her life are supplied by a tattooed neighbor and others. Her feelings of neglect by her father Tsunehiro, who favored her chronically ill younger sister, Kumi, translated into becoming a dutiful junior high school teacher devoted to her students until being forced to resign after being blamed for the theft of some money by one of them. Leaving her family due to the disgrace, she had a series of affairs with lovers who physically abused her and did a stint as...

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Plot Keywords:

prison | murder | affair | teacher | theft | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Musical | Mystery

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site [jp]

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

27 May 2006 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Memories of Matsuko

Filming Locations:

Japan

Company Credits

Production Co:

Amuse Soft Entertainment, Kiraware Matsuko no Isshô Seisaku Iinkai, Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

130 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital (5.1 surround)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Version of Kiraware Matsuko no isshô (2006)

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Soundtracks

"She's What I Want to Be"
Written by Alan Brey (Dakota Star)
Performed by ch (Dakota Star)
Courtesy of tearbridge production for avex entertainment Inc.

User Reviews

Sometimes comic, sometimes tragic, always delightful.

I hadn't heard of this film till it appeared on television as part of a short season of Asian films. I'm glad that I decided to watch it though as it was a delightful film which made me laugh and cry.

Shou is living alone doing nothing with his life till one day his father comes by and asks him to clear up the house of his aunt Matsuko who had been murdered. Up until then Shou had no knowledge of his aunt but as he sorts through her belongings and meets people who knew her he learns what an extraordinary life she had, some happy but much sad. It is especially sad at the end when we learn how she died after surviving many hardships.

The film has a surreal appearance that reminded me of a cross between Amalie and the TV series Pushing Daisies due to the artificially vivid colours. If you want to see something different I'd certainly recommend this charming film.