Cast
View AllYūji Honma
as Tetsuo Sagawa(佐川哲夫)
Yuki Ninagawa
as Chika Mori(森千加)
Eiko Nagashima
as Harue Hanada(花田春恵)
Nobutaka Masutomi
as Syûzô Osawa, Harue's husband(大沢修造)
Akira Hanagami
as Tsuchiya(土屋)
Tessen Nakahira
as Kudô(工藤)
Toshihiko Oda
as Middle-aged Man(中年男)
Toshiyuki Kitami
as Shigeo Tanaka(田中繁雄)
Yōko Azusa
as Keiko(ケイ子)
Rika Takahara
as Hitomi(ひとみ)
Daisuke Musoh
as Shunji Maki(牧俊次)
Akio Suzuki
as Hiroshi Inoue(井上宏)
Masatsugu Takase
as Michio Nakahara(中原道男)
Yukitomo Tochino
as Kazuhiko Murai(村井和彦)
Ken Nakamoto
as Ôsugi(大杉樹夫)
Crew
Director
- Kichitaro Negishi
Producer
- Yutaka Okada
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, Crazed Fruit 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 Kichitaro Negishi 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 1981, 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 Crazed Fruit took approximately 4 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 85 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 109 minutes long.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 11 months to complete.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
- The musical score contains over 48 unique compositions.
Historical Context
- In 1981, when this film was released:
- The Cold War was entering its final phase.
- MTV launched, changing how music was marketed and consumed.
- Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.
How This Film Stands Out
While Crazed Fruit shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Just Mom, which focuses more on action than character development, Crazed Fruit subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Comfort Women: A Cry for Justice and Nirbhaya - Somaajer Lokkhi explore similar territory, Crazed Fruit stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: April 24, 1981
- Runtime: 1h 25m
