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Humanity and Paper Balloons
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Humanity and Paper Balloons

1937
Drama
1h 26m
Begins with the investigation of a suicide, an impoverished, elderly ex-samurai who had hanged himself because -- having pawned his real sword blades and replaced them with bamboo; this was done for him not to starve to death -- he had been unable to perform the samurai ritual of seppuku (ritual suicide, done with a sword piercing the stomach). The slum residents react by having a "wake" for the dead man, which is actually an excuse for them to drink up and make as merry as they can... (IMDB Comments)
Directed by:
Sadao Yamanaka Sadao Yamanaka
Written by:
Shintarô Mimura
Starring:
Daisuke Katô Daisuke Katô Chojuro Kawarasaki Kan'emon Nakamura Tsuruzô Nakamura Choemon Bando Sukezo Sukedakaya Emitaro Ichikawa Shizue Yamagishi Noboru Kiritachi
More
Genre:
Drama
AKAs:
Ballad of the Paper balloons, Ninjo kami fusen
Country:
Japan
Language:
Japanese
imdb More information at IMDb
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Humanity and Paper Balloons

1937
Drama
1h 26m
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Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 70.78% from 176 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

(176)
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martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 14 Jun 2008
89
92nd
Populated with unforgettable, realistic characters. A moving study of the deterioration of decency and the fallacy of the bushido code, done with great pathos and great humor as it effortlessly works its way towards its somber ending. It's a real shame that Yamanaka died so young, and so much of his work is lost.
Rated 14 Jun 2008
goremeatgoremeat
Rated 26 Jan 2012
90
95th
Yamanaka truly seems like a lost genius. He managed a measured balance between innocent humanist leanings and despairing cruelty, and that truly gave this film its poignancy. Some of the photography was outstanding, and the acting was very natural. Shinza and Unno were such fascinating characters, caught in an inescapable plight. Great film.
Rated 26 Jan 2012
moribunnyMoribunny
Rated 07 May 2016
75
84th
I believe this was the last film made by the prodigious Sadao Yamanaka in his tragically short career, before being drafted and killed in the war. The plot is very dramatic but the execution is very subdued, and quite lifelike. Something about its warmth, naturalism, class consciousness, air of modesty, and lack of music, reminds me of Yamanaka's contemporary Jean Renoir's best works.
Rated 07 May 2016
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 14 Jun 2011
89
92nd
The style is subdued, but it only makes the barbs stand out all the more sharply, criticizing the Japanese social structure and its various conceptions of honour and pride. I hesitate to call this a masterpiece, though it is close, but it is a beautiful and touching film.
Rated 14 Jun 2011
hotsakehotsake
Rated 01 Jul 2012
88
98th
A haunting and believable tale of a well regarded samurai's fall into poverty and depression. The acting is down played and believable, the music fits, it's a little slow but still and immensely powerful film. Still relevant to this day after over 75 years.
Rated 01 Jul 2012
desertpunkDesertPunk
Rated 21 Jun 2014
74
57th
Japanese period films can sometimes deal with excess, larger than life samurais and lords, and extravagant battles. Paper Balloons is a movie firmly rooted in poverty, cruelty, and desperation. No honor or other such abstract concepts. It doesn't really work all the time, but it's a pretty astounding feat to feel fresh after almost 80 years.
Rated 21 Jun 2014
sinnermaSinnerMa
Rated 17 Nov 2022
78
74th
So very well played and realistic it belies its age almost completely IMHO. Crisp B&W imagery makes it seem it was shot yesterday. A samurai movie but certainly not gung ho boys own. Watch (esp if you liked the values espoused in Twilight Samurai).
Rated 17 Nov 2022
francogonzoFrancoGonzo
Rated 24 Feb 2016
13
69th
Star Rating: ★★★1/2
Rated 24 Feb 2016
punqPUNQ
Rated 22 Dec 2013
70
96th
Humanity & Paper Balloons is excellently shot, but for me it lacks a little in the story telling to become among my highest favorites. Didn't feel it reached any emotional climax in any of the situations. Not tragic enough before reaching the tragic conclusion. Came a little out of nowhere. Even the kidnapping hero's one-up on the local gangster didn't seem to justify the ultimate sacrifice if really was. But this still has all the cool peculiarities of class and life in Japan to be satisfying.
Rated 22 Dec 2013

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