Cast
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Sayuri Yoshinaga
as Hatsue Miyata
Mitsuo Hamada
as Shinji Kubo
Daizaburo Hirata
as Yasuo Kawamoto
Kayo Matsuo
as Chiyoko
Toyo Takahashi
as Oharu
Masao Shimizu
as Lighthouse Chief
Ichirō Sugai
as Jukichi Oyama
Keiko Hara
as Lighthouse manager's wife
Tomio Aoki
as Employee
Kiyoshi Kamoda
as
Tokuhei Miyahara
as
Shigeru Kōyama
as
Masuo Kinugasa
as Ryuichi Kawamoto
Soichiro Maeno
as
Kenjirō Ishiyama
as Terukichi Miyata
Crew
Director
- Kenjirō Morinaga
Producer
- Hideo Sasai
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, The Sound of Waves 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 Kenjirō Morinaga 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 1964, 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 The Sound of Waves took approximately 7 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 82 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 117 minutes long.
- The musical score contains over 51 unique compositions.
- The screenplay went through 10 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 7 weeks before filming began.
Historical Context
- In 1964, when this film was released:
- The Vietnam War was becoming increasingly controversial.
- The space race between the USSR and USA was at its height.
- 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 29, 1964
- Runtime: 1h 22m