Grandfather Fuyukichi Takano, a former university professor, gets fired from his museum job when he is affected by Alzheimer's disease, but his affliction serves to deepen family ties. Japan's submission to the 58th Academy Awards for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
Acting
Chiaki's performance captures Alzheimer's without melodrama.
Direction
Ito refuses easy sentimentality at every turn.
Director
Shunya Ito
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
1985 Japan saw Alzheimer's rarely depicted; this film helped spark national conversation on elder care and filial duty.
Minoru Chiaki, iconic in Kurosawa's Seven Samurai, insisted on meeting real Alzheimer's patients—his restraint earned Japan's first Kinema Junpo win for the disease.
JP
