Kabei: Our Mother (2008)

母べえ

Kabei: Our Mother (2008)

- Synopsis/Summary/Review: 

Nogami Kayo (Yoshinaga Sayuri) and her husband Shigeru (Bando Mitsugoro), affectionately called “Kabei” and “Tobei” by their daughters, form a small and happy family in 1940s Japan. When Shigeru is imprisoned for political reasons, however, Kayo is left to carry the family as war breaks out in the Pacific. In these dark times, Shigeru’s frazzled, kindhearted student Yamasaki Toru (Asano Tadanobu) shows up at the doorstep to offer his help. Devoting his time and heart to supporting the family and fighting for Shigeru’s release, Yamasaki develops a strong bond with Kayo, her daughters, and her sister-in-law Hisako (Dan Rei). 

Kayo stands as a pillar of silent strength through the years of war and strife, taking the trials that come one by one, but not even she can anticipate where her heart lies and fate leads. After the success of his “Samurai Trilogy”, renowned director Yamada Yoji draws acclaim and accolades once more with the wartime drama Kabei – Our Mother. 

Based on Nogami Teruyo’s memoirs, Kabei follows a normal, loving family as their innocent, bustling lives are forever transformed by the war. Veteran actress Yoshinaga Sayuri is the picture of dignity and grace as a strong and elegant woman who holds her family together in her husband’s absence, while acclaimed actor Asano Tadanobu disappears into the role of an awkward, affable writer who becomes the unlikely hero for a struggling family. Also co-starring Dan Rei from Love and Honor, Kabei is a triumph in humanistic storytelling, breaking hearts with its realistic characters, sensitive depictions, and precious moments of laughter and tears.

Directed by: Yoji Yamada
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Subtitle: English
Year: 2008
Genre: Drama

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Dedicated to all our beautiful mothers and The Infinite Mother.