Based on the novel by Inoue Yasushi, “Chronicle of My Mother” follows the story of a best-selling author and his relationship with his family.
Kosaku Igami (Kôji Yakusho), who was raised by his grandfather’s mistress, has lived most of his life under the impression that his mother, Yae (Kirin Kiki) abandoned him when she escaped to Taiwan with his three younger sisters.
It was the feeling of abandonment that allowed Kosaku, who uses his family as the main characters in his novels, to become the best-selling author that the audience comes to know.
It is through the death of his father that Kosaku discovers he was not abandoned but that his mother was actually protecting him all along.
In finding more about his family’s past, he is forced to make new living arrangements for his aging mother. In turn, the two of them become closer through this emotionally gripping family drama.
“Chronicle” marks Harada’s first family drama film, which breaks off from his typical thrillers and samurai films.
“From early on, I didn’t want any kind of overly sentimental film,” said Harada after the screening and press conference of the film at the Foreign Correspondent’s Club of Japan.
“I’ve seen all those Japanese films, sentimental Japanese films, didn’t do well in the box office overseas.”
Harada also sees a bit of himself in his film, as he recounts parts of his own family life falling in line with Kosaku’s family dilemma.
“For the past seven or eight years, my father has been losing his memory and [succumbing to] Alzheimer’s and my mother is taking care of him alone,” said Harada.
“She tells all these stories and everything, and then after 20 minutes or so says, ‘Now I have the energy for another month to fight on.’ That’s the kind of spirit I wanted to keep in this movie.”
“Chronicle” redefines family in a heartfelt, borderline mushy fashion.
Harada’s vision for a heartwarming family drama translates flawlessly onto the silver screen, as viewers find themselves in tears when Kosaku finally reconnects with his lost childhood and finds his mother’s deep love.
The movie will run from Feb. 8 to Feb. 14 at the Bluelight Cinemas at the Oaks Shopping Center as part of the cinema’s International Film Showcase. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7.50 for seniors and students.
(photo courtesy of silkscreenfestival.org)
(LA VOZ WEEKLY)
