Cast
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Yutaka Takenouchi
as Yuma Nakahara
Yosuke Eguchi
as Tetsuya Watanabe
Tori Matsuzaka
as Takuya Sawai
Yûka
as Yukiko Ohba
Eiko Koike
as Sayuri Fujioka
Hikaru Takahashi
as Hitomi Watanabe
Jun Miho
as Miki Togashi
Mikako Ichikawa
as Miyako Watanabe
Shinosuke Tatekawa
as Dr. Yosuke Kondo
Shigeru Muroi
as Yoshiko
Akira Emoto
as Zenzo Takeda
Takeshi Kitano
as Detective Koichiro Iwase
Toshiyuki Nishida
as Kentaro Nishimura
Crew
Director
- Kan Ishibashi
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, A Living Promise examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of contemporary challenges that mirror our own experiences. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Kan Ishibashi 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 2016, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of A Living Promise took approximately 12 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 120 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 177 minutes long.
- The costume department created over 119 unique costume pieces for the production.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
- The screenplay went through 8 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
Historical Context
- In 2016, when this film is released:
- Political polarization was intensifying in many countries.
- Climate change awareness was becoming a central global concern.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While A Living Promise shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade, which focuses more on action than character development, A Living Promise offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like The Bridge on the River Kwai and Dolls explore similar territory, A Living Promise stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: January 9, 2016
- Runtime: 2h
