Archive of films Rendan - Quartet for Two / Rendan
Japan
2000, 104 min
Section:
Another View
Year: 2001
Synopsis
Shotaro and Minako are arguing. Minako has confessed her infidelity to her husband and informs him of her intention to leave him. She has ceased to enjoy living with a submissive husband. Minako, who works for a construction company, loves her job and is progressing in her successful career, while her husband eagerly takes care of the house and the kids. He buys groceries, he cooks, he does the laundry – constantly. The couple’s arguing intensifies until Minaka files for divorce. Their older daughter Mari isn’t that upset by her parent’s problems as she’s more interested in the piano piece she’s got to play with her mother at a concert organised by her music school; admittedly, she’s also rather interested in her music teacher. But her younger brother Toru feels betrayed by his mother and can’t manage to reconcile himself to his father’s role as a housewife. A partial reconciliation occurs at Minako and Mari’s concert, where their entrance on stage is met with loud applause.
About the director
Naoto Takenaka (b. 1956, Yokohama) studied graphic design at Tama Art University. While a member of the Seinenza theatre group he had his television debut. Since then he has appeared in many commercials, films, plays and TV programs, and is one of Japan’s best known contemporary actors. His first feature film, Nowhere Man, won the FIPRESCI Prize at the Venice IFF. Takenaka also co-authored the script of his second feature, the comedy Quiet Days of Firemen. Quartet for Two is his fourth feature and as in his other films he acts the lead. Filmography: Nowhere Man (1992), Quiet Days of Firemen (1994), Tokyo Biyori (1997), Quartet for Two (2000).
About the film
Black & white, 35 mm
Section: | Another View |
---|---|
Director: | Naoto Takenaka |
Screenplay: | Maruo Kyozuka |
Dir. of Photography: | Yasushi Sasakibara |
Editor: | Yoshiyuki Okuhara |
Producer: | Hideshi Miyajima, Toshiaki Harada |
Production: | Shochiku Co. Ltd. |
Cast: | Naoto Takenaka, Yuki Amami, Keika Fukitsuka, Yuta Minowa, Mitsuhiro Oikawa |