Cast
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Kinuyo Tanaka
as Hiroko Ogata
Ken Uehara
as Ryukichi Ogata
Hideko Takamine
as Senko Azuma
Hiroshi Akutagawa
as Kenzo Kubo
Chieko Seki
as Yukiko Ikeda
Ranko Hanai
as Katsuko Ishibashi
Takeshi Sakamoto
as Tokuji Kawamura
Haruo Tanaka
as Chuji Tsukahara
Eiko Miyoshi
as Ranko
Kumeko Urabe
as Kayo Nojima
Hikaru Hoshi
as
Zeko Nakamura
as
Shigeru Ogura
as
Eiko Ōhara
as
Noriko Honma
as
Crew
Director
- Heinosuke Gosho
Producer
- Yoshishige Uchiyama
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, Where Chimneys Are Seen examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of a period setting that reflects societal issues of its time. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Heinosuke Gosho brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1953, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Where Chimneys Are Seen took approximately 6 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 108 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 148 minutes long.
- The costume department created over 425 unique costume pieces for the production.
- The musical score contains over 62 unique compositions.
- The screenplay went through 14 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
Historical Context
- In 1953, when this film was released:
- The civil rights movement was gaining momentum in the United States.
- Rock and roll music was revolutionizing popular culture.
- The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.
How This Film Stands Out
Details
- Release Date: March 5, 1953
- Runtime: 1h 48m