drama film
In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. The drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular ...
directed by Kichitaro Negishi. It is based on the 1947 short story of the same name by
Osamu Dazai
, known by his pen name , was a Japanese novelist and author. A number of his most popular works, such as ''The Setting Sun'' (斜陽, ''Shayō'') and '' No Longer Human'' (人間失格, ''Ningen Shikkaku''), are considered modern classics.
Hi ...
.
Synopsis
Sachi is the long-suffering wife of popular novelist Otani in post-
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
Japan. Brilliant but self-destructive, Otani spends his days drinking, running up debts, and looking for inspiration with other women. A visit from Miyo and Kichizo, the owners of the tavern which Otani frequents, informs Sachi that her husband has run up a fortune in debts and has stolen money from them. To pay off the debt, Sachi becomes a waitress at the bar, where her beauty and warmth bring in new customers. While working at the bar, she meets a young laborer, Okada, who falls in love with her. Also on hand are Sachi's old boyfriend, Tsuji, and her husband's mistress, Akiko. Though increasingly empowered by her new independence, Sachi retains her allegiance to her husband.
Cast
*
Takako Matsu
(born on June 10, 1977) is a Japanese actress and pop singer.
Personal life
Matsu was born to a family of buyō and kabuki actors, including her father Matsumoto Hakuō II, her mother and businesswoman Noriko Fujima, her uncle, Nakamura ...
as Sachi
*
Tadanobu Asano
better known by his stage name is a Japanese actor, director, and musician, who has had an extensive career working in both Japanese and international cinema. He has been nominated for five Japan Academy Film Prizes, twice for Best Actor and ...
as Otani
*
Shigeru Muroi
is a Japanese actress. She won the award for Best Supporting Actress at the 19th Hochi Film Awards for '' Izakaya Yūrei''. She is known for her role as Reiko Onda on Yappari Neko ga Suki series. she also starred in two television drama series ...
as Miyo
*
Masatō Ibu
is a Japanese actor and voice actor, Best known for his villainous characters. He is sometimes credited as Masato Eve.
Filmography Films
* '' P.P. Rider'' (1983)
*'' Love Hotel'' (1985)
*'' Maison Ikkoku'' (1986)
*'' Empire of the Sun'' (1987 ...
as Kichizo
*
Ryōko Hirosue
is a Japanese actress and singer, best known to international audiences for her roles in the Luc Besson-produced ''Wasabi'' (2001) and the Academy Award-winning Japanese film '' Departures'' (2008). She also starred in the 2008 comedy series '' ...
as Akiko
*
Satoshi Tsumabuki
is a Japanese actor. His breakthrough film was '' Waterboys'' for which he was nominated for the "Best Actor" award at the Japanese Academy Awards, and won the "Newcomer of the Year" prize. He is also the bassist and lead singer of the Japanes ...
as Okada
*
Shinichi Tsutsumi
is a Japanese stage and screen actor. Internationally, he is best known for his roles as Koichi Takagi in the ''Monday'' films, Tetsuya Ishigami in the '' Suspect X'' films, and Jo Sawashiro in '' Yakuza: Like a Dragon.'' In Japan, he is best kn ...
as Tsuji
*
Ken Mitsuishi
is a Japanese actor. He has appeared in films such as ''Chaos (2000 film), Chaos'' and ''Tokyo Playboy Club''.
Filmography
Film
;1980s
*''Tora's Tropical Fever'' (1980)
*''Foster Daddy, Tora!'' (1980)
*''Sailor Suit and Machine Gun (film), Sai ...
*
Mirai Yamamoto
is a Japanese actress. Her father is Kansai Yamamoto.
Personal life
Yamamoto was born in Tokyo, Japan. She met Kippei Shiina in 1995 when they worked together on the series , and began dating him after they co-starred in the 1998 film '' Fuy ...
Release
The film premiered at the
Montreal World Film Festival
The Montreal World Film Festival (), commonly abbreviated MWFF in English or FFM in French, was an annual film festival in Montreal, Quebec, Canada from 1977 to 2019.
It was released in New York in July 2010 and had its UK premiere in December 2010.
Home media
''Villon's Wife'' was released on DVD in Japan in April 2010 and in Hong Kong in May 2010.
Awards
2009
Montreal World Film Festival
The Montreal World Film Festival (), commonly abbreviated MWFF in English or FFM in French, was an annual film festival in Montreal, Quebec, Canada from 1977 to 2019.
* Best Director: Kichitaro Negishi
33rd Japan Academy Prize
* Best Actress: Takako Matsu
* Best Art Direction: Yohei Taneda and Kyōko Yauchi
34th
Hochi Film Award
The are film-specific prizes awarded by the '' Hochi Shimbun''.
Categories
*Best Picture
*Best International Picture
*Best Animated Picture (since 2017)
*Best Actor
*Best Actress
*Best Supporting Actor
*Best Supporting Actress
*Best New Artist ...
* Best Actress: Takako Matsu
2010 Kinema Junpo Award
* Best Actress: Takako Matsu
23rd
Nikkan Sports Film Award
The , also called the Nikkan Sports Yujiro Ishihara Film Prizes, are annual film-specific prizes awarded by the ''Nikkan Sports'' newspaper since 1988.
The categories of ''Fans' Choice Award for Best Film'' and ''Fans' Choice Award for Best Act ...