Hush! (2001)

Director:

Ryosuke Hashiguchi

Writer:

Ryosuke Hashiguchi (screenplay)

Release Date:

3 July 2002 (France)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

Plot Keywords:

Homosexual | Gay Interest | Gay Parent | Japan | Gynecologist

Awards:

6 wins

Cast

Reiko Kataoka	...	Asako Fujikura
Kazuya Takahashi	...	Naoya Hase
Seiichi Tanabe	...	Katsuhiro Kurita
Yoko Akino	...	Yoko Kurita
Manami Fuji	...	Katsumi Hase, Naoya's Mother
Ken Mitsuishi	...	Shoji Kurita, Katsuhiro's brother
Tsugumi	...	Emi Nagata
Tetsu Sawaki	...	Makoto
Yôsuke Saitô	...	Aritomo
Kanako Fukaura	...	Mrs. Tadokoro
Satoshi Yamanaka	...	Yuji
Ryo Iwamatsu	...	Gynecologist
Minori Terada	...	Mr. Fujikura, Ayako's Father
Yasushi Inoue	...	Mayama
Hiroshi Anan	...	Chief

Runtime:

135 min | Argentina:136 min (Mar del Plata Film Festival)

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo | Dolby

Certification:

Argentina:13 | France:U

Company:

Siglo Ltd.

Soundtrack:

Hush Little Baby

It's always the quiet ones...

If you like your movies subtle and sweet, then this should be just the ticket. Although the subject matter isn't too out there in the West, it's interesting to see it broached in the Japanese context, where tradition and respect for family are still held in high esteem. The film deals with familial relationships now, and as such presents a refreshing and forward thinking outlook on the nature of the family unit in the 21st century. Hashiguchi lets us watch these intimate relationships as they build up and, in some cases, break down, without feeling intrusive. There are some wonderful scenes of extended dialogue, the sort of meandering conversations that go nowhere, but that are incredibly involving nonetheless. All the performances are spot on, and there's just the right balance between the humour and the heartache. It's a slow, talky film, but still highly rewarding.