Cast
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Kazunari Ninomiya
as Unoshin Mizuno
Ko Shibasaki
as Yoshimune Tokugawa
Maki Horikita
as Onobu
Tadayoshi Okura
as Tsuroka
Aoi Nakamura
as Kakiten
Hiroshi Tamaki
as Matsushima
Mitsuko Baisho
as Yorinobu Mizuno
Emi Wakui
as Hisamichi Kanou
Sadawo Abe
as Sugishita
Kuranosuke Sasaki
as Huzinami
Muga Takewaki
as
Yoshihiko Hosoda
as
Terunosuke Takezai
as
Shota Matsushima
as
Tsuyoshi Muro
as
Crew
Director
- Fuminori Kaneko
Producer
- Aki Isoyama
- Miyako Araki
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, The Lady Shogun and Her Men 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 Fuminori Kaneko 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 2010, 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 The Lady Shogun and Her Men took approximately 34 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $12.8 million, the film represented a significant investment in bringing this story to the screen.
- The final cut of the film runs for 116 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 149 minutes long.
- The film contains approximately 1824 individual shots.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
- The screenplay went through 6 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
Historical Context
- In 2010, when this film is released:
- Political polarization was intensifying in many countries.
- Smartphones and social media had transformed daily life and communication.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While The Lady Shogun and Her Men shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike 28 Days Later, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, The Lady Shogun and Her Men subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like The Bounty and And the Band Played On explore similar territory, The Lady Shogun and Her Men stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
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: October 1, 2010
- Runtime: 1h 56m
- Budget: $12,800,000
