The Long Darkness

The Long Darkness (Japanese: 忍ぶ川, Hepburn: Shinobu Kawa) is a 1972 Japanese drama film directed by Kei Kumai.^[2] The film is about a young couple who get together despite the tragedy that befalls their lives. The film received several year end awards from Kinema Junpo and the Mainichi Film Awards.^[3]

The Long Darkness
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Kei Kumai
Screenplay by	Keiji Hasebe Kei Kumai[1]
Based on	the novel by Tetsuo Miura[1]
Produced by	Masayuki Satô Hideyuki Shiino[1]
Starring	Komaki Kurihara Go Kato Yasushi Nagata
Cinematography	Kiyomi Kuroda[1]
Music by	Teizo Matsumura[1]
Production companies	Haiyu-za Film Toho[1]
Distributed by	Toho
Release date	25 May 1972 (1972-05-25) (Japan)
Running time	120 minutes
Country	Japan

Cast

• Komaki Kurihara as Shino
• Go Kato as Tetsuro
• Yasushi Nagata as Tetsuro's father
• Kaneko Iwasaki as Kayo - short-sighted sister
• Kinzō Shin as Shino's father
• Hisako Takihana as Tetsuro's mother
• Yûsuke Takita as Yukifusa Kimura
• Hisashi Igawa as Tetsuro's elder brother
• Yasushi Kachi as Fumiya
• Karin Yamaguchi as Aya
• Kin Sugai as Wellwisher on train
• Toshie Kimura as Okami

Release

The Long Darkness was released theatrically in Japan on 25 May 1972 where it was distributed by Toho.^[1] The film saw theatrical release in the United States by Toho International with English subtitles in July 1973.^[1] It was entered into the 8th Moscow International Film Festival.^[4]

Reception

In Japan, Kinema Junpo awarded The Long Darkness with the awards for Best Film, Best Director and Co-Best Screenplay for the year.^[1] At the Mainichi Film Award the film won awards for Best Film, Best Actress (Komaki Kurihara), Best Film Score and Best Sound Recording.^[1]

See also

• List of Japanese films of 1972