Humanity and Paper Balloons (1937) DVD-R

Humanity and Paper Balloons (1937) DVD-R
Starring: Chojuro Kawarasaki, Kanemon Nakamura, Shizue Yamagishi
Directed by: Sadao Yamanaka
Print: Black & White – Japan Production
Runtime: 86 minutes (approx.)
Genre: Drama
Language: Japanese (with English subtitles)

Set in 18th-century Edo (modern-day Tokyo), this poignant film follows Unno Matajuro, a masterless samurai (ronin) struggling to support his family by selling paper balloons crafted by his wife. When a neighboring hairdresser kidnaps a wealthy man's daughter, Unno becomes reluctantly involved, leading to tragic consequences. Directed by Sadao Yamanaka, this film is considered a masterpiece of Japanese cinema and was his final work before his untimely death. It offers a stark portrayal of the hardships faced by the lower classes during the Tokugawa era.