The Island
Director: Kaneto Shindô
Actors: Nobuko Otowa, Taiji Tonoyama, Shinji Tanaka
PlotA family of four resides on a desolate and isolated island, eking out a meager existence through laborious daily routines. The father methodically rows to the mainland each day to fetch water, while the mother toils in the nearby fields, cultivating crops largely by hand. Their two young sons assist in various tasks, from helping in the field to ensuring the household runs smoothly. Their life is marked by a relentless struggle against natural elements and the back-breaking work needed for survival. Despite their harsh environment, the family maintains a rhythm, deeply connected with the land and sea that sustain them.
As the seasons change, so too do the challenges they face. The cyclical nature of their toil is depicted in their repeated efforts to plant, grow, and harvest crops, and to ensure that there is always enough water. Their existence is underscored by quiet moments of tenderness and fatigue, revealing a profound bond that drives their perseverance. Irrespective of occasional moments of respite, their lives are an unending routine of survival against a backdrop of isolation. The narrative evolves as they go about their daily chores, leading to unforeseen circumstances that test their endurance and familial bonds to the brink.
Writers: Kaneto Shindô
Release Date: 10 Sep 1962
Runtime: 96 min
Rating: Not Rated
Country: Japan
Language: None
Home Video Reviews
Kaneto Shindo's The Naked Island is a poetic, visually stunning film presented with excellent video and audio quality; a must-own for classic Japanese cinema fans.
Read our review of The Island Blu-ray 裸の島 Hadaka no shima to find out more