A Boy's Summer in 1945 (2002)

Commencing well-respected Nippon director Kazuo Kuroki's sixth decade behind the camera, "A Boy's Summer in 1945" (literally "A Beautiful Summer in Kirishima") is a lyric, novelistic drama set in the countryside in the last days before Japan's surrender ending WWII. Striking a welcome retro note in its languid pacing and delicate handling of seriocomic ensemble threads, handsome production is a natural for fests. It might also prove a cornerstone for retrospectives or ancillary releases of works by a helmer ("Preparation of the Festival," "Ronin-gai") who's long been appreciated at home but has won just limited attention abroad.

Genres: Drama

Stars: Tasuku Emoto, Yoshio Harada, Tokie Hidari, Wakaba Irie, Eri Ishida

Release Date: 2002-12-14

Country: Japan

Ratings: 5.75 / 10 (4 votes)

Runtime: 118 mins