The Wife of Seisaku

Kane, sold by her parents to an old husband, returns to her village after his death to find herself mocked by the locals. Seisaku, the village’s beloved son, comes home from the army and imposes order, but Kane refuses to obey him. Recognizing her vulnerability, they fall in love, sparking scandal and deep passion. When Seisaku is called back to fight in the brutal Battle of Port Arthur, Kane will do anything to prevent their separation. Shot in wide CinemaScope, in beautiful black and white, and with a naturalistic style, the film offers unforgettable images. As always, Masumura builds on emotionally charged scenes—several, depicting drunken send-offs before battle, are masterworks of irony and subversion that resonate powerfully with 21st-century Israeli audiences. The Wife of Seisaku is a masterpiece anti-war film, featuring a moving portrayal by Ayako Wakao of a social outsider steadfast in her emotions.