150. The Eel (1997) & Black Rain (1989)

Call It, Friendo

This week, we discuss two films from Japanese director Shohei Yamamura.

The first is The Eel (1997), starring Kōji Yakusho, Misa Shimizu, Mitsuko Baisho and Akira Emoto. The film is loosely based on the novel On Parole by celebrated author Akira Yoshimura, combined with elements from the director's 1966 film The Pornographers. It shared the Palme d'Or at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival with Taste of Cherry.

The second is Black Rain (1989), based on the novel of the same name by Masuji Ibuse. The story centres on the aftermath of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and its effect on a surviving family.

Timestamps

What we’ve been watching (00:01:10) – Talk to Me, My Girl, Headhunters, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Bear season 3

The Eel (00:28:00)

Black Rain (00:57:10)

Coin toss (01:13:20)

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