Japanese filmmaker Yasuzô Masumura made a name for himself as second-unit director for the renowned likes of Kenji Mizoguchi. Over three decades, Masumura directed more than 58 films, each of which served to question Japan’s post-war cultural identity. Yet he has arguably been overshadowed by his contemporaries like Yashojirō Ozu and Akira Kurosawa.
Tsuma Wa Kokuhaku Suru (translated as ‘The Wife Confesses’) demonstrates why Masumura’s name deserves to be at the forefront of the conversation around Japanese cinema. The film crosses elements of film noir with the classic courtroom set-up, bearing the hallmarks of Masamura’s cinematic mentors as it spins the story of a young widow in the dock. Issues of identity, culpability and complacency are gracefully interrogated in the director’s characteristic manner.
This 4K restoration of Tsuma Wa Kokuhaku Suru prepared by Kadokawa for the director’s centenary throws greater light on the film’s original CinemaScope ratio while also highlighting Masamura’s skill with discreet staging and sensitive performances, in particular his ability to elicit outstanding work from regular collaborator and revered performer Ayako Wakao.
Restored in 4K in 2024 by KADOKAWA CORPORATION at IMAGICA Entertainment Media Services.
This screening is presented in collaboration with Film Noir UK co-curated with Yuriko Hamaguchi who is participating in Other Ways of Seeing, with support from BFI Awarding Funds from National Lottery.
With an introduction by co-curator Yuriko Hamaguchi.
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