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A Visage to Remember

A Visage to Remember (1948)

Apr 04, 1948 1h 36m Drama

During his summer holiday, Kawasaki Ryuichi (Ryuzaki Ichiro), a handsome engineer in his late twenties, visits his teacher and mentor, Professor Inagaki (Sugai Ichiro), at his seaside home. There he meets the professor's lovely young wife, Sachiko (Hamada Yuriko), and is unsettled by the striking resemblance she bears to his wife, who died three years earlier. Attracted to Sachiko, he does his best to hide his feelings. The couple, however, senses a deep-seated melancholy in him. Attributing it to the loss of his wife, they urge him to marry their niece, Kaoru, but he is not interested. Shortly after, Fumiko , Sachiko's older sister, realizes that Sachiko and Kawasaki have feelings for each other, but she keeps her counsel. One day Kawasaki, Sachiko, and Kaoru go boating when a storm forces them to stay overnight at a hotel. Unable to sleep, Kawasaki takes a walk along the beach where he finds Sachiko, also unable to sleep. He declares his love for her.

Directed by Heinosuke Gosho

Cast

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Ichirō Ryūzaki
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Ichirō Ryūzaki

as

Yuriko Hamada
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Yuriko Hamada

as

Setsuko Wakayama
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Setsuko Wakayama

as

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Ranko Akagi

as

Ichirō Sugai
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Ichirō Sugai

as

Chishū Ryū
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Chishū Ryū

as

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Susumu Ookubo

as

Crew

Director
  • Heinosuke Gosho

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Thematic Analysis

As a dramatic work, A Visage to Remember 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 1948, 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 A Visage to Remember took approximately 24 months from pre-production to final cut.
  • The final cut of the film runs for 96 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 124 minutes long.
  • The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
  • The screenplay went through 7 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
  • The film contains approximately 1447 individual shots.

Historical Context

  • In 1948, when this film was released:
  • Rock and roll music was revolutionizing popular culture.
  • Television was becoming a dominant form of home entertainment.
  • The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.

How This Film Stands Out

Details

  • Release Date: April 4, 1948
  • Runtime: 1h 36m

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