Tadashi Imai

Directing

Tadashi Imai

Born January 8, 1912 · Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

Died November 22, 1991 · aged 79

Tadashi Imai (今井 正 Imai Tadashi, January 8, 1912 - November 22, 1991) was a Japanese film director known for social realist filmmaking informed by a left-wing perspective. Description above from the Wikipedia article Tadashi Imai , licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia

Known For

War and YouthWar and Youth · 1991
War and Youth
★ 6.81991
MovieDrama
An auto repairman's daughter questions him about what happened to her aunt during the war, but the father remains reticent. Finally the man opens up, and the girl is able to piece together her aunt's tragic story.
Night DrumNight Drum · 1958
Night Drum
★ 5.91958
MovieDramaHistory
Following a yearlong attendance upon his shogun in Edo, samurai Hikokuro makes a long-awaited return to his home and doting wife, Dane. Initially greeted by the effusive welcome of his family, spiteful whispers also reach his ear about an adulterous affair carried on, in his long absence, between his wife and a famous drummer. With Hikokuro’s honor imperiled by rumor, his family insists on a formal investigation into the veracity of the gossip. Through the combined testimony of many witnesses, a tale unwinds around the visits of a traveling musician hired to tutor the family heir, the spurned attentions of the man who started the rumor, and the ultimate truth behind the accusations. The conclusion of events prove as much an indictment of bushidō as it is of the reluctant parties involved. Adapted from a 1706 play by Chikamatsu Monzaemon and based on a true case.
An Inlet of Muddy WaterAn Inlet of Muddy Water · 1953
An Inlet of Muddy Water
★ 6.21953
MovieHistoryDrama
A Japanese woman writes down three stories she has witnessed or heard of in her diary, each about the difficult situation a young woman finds herself in.
The Story of Pure LoveThe Story of Pure Love · 1957
The Story of Pure Love
★ 6.81957
MovieRomanceDrama
Junai Monogatari AKA Story of Pure Love is about two poor youths, Mitsuko and Kando, rebelling against society in various ways, who are desperately trying to be together despite tortuous circumstances. The film depicts their lives as thieves, menial laborers who can get little pay, society outcasts, and of course, lovers. Junai Monogatari depicts, mostly, their struggles within the Japanese reformatory system and Mitsuko's worsening sickness.
Darkness at NoonDarkness at Noon · 1956
Darkness at Noon
★ 6.91956
MovieCrimeDrama
Police beat a murder confession out of four innocent men who are then sentenced to death. Based on a true story.
The Blue Mountains: Part IThe Blue Mountains: Part I · 1949
The Blue Mountains: Part I
★ 6.41949
MovieDrama
Teacher Yukiko finds herself in opposition to conservative faculty and villagers after defending a student for being in a relationship with a young man from Tokyo.
Here Is a SpringHere Is a Spring · 1955
Here Is a Spring
★ 8.21955
MovieDrama
The story of a group of young people who organise their own travelling symphony orchestra to provide music for people living in remote villages shortly after the war.
Still I Live OnStill I Live On · 1951
Still I Live On
★ 6.01951
MovieDrama
About the struggles of day labourers to achieve dignity and a standard of living above the starvation level. Utilising the Zenshinza theatrical troupe.

Filmography

Sort
Night DrumNight Drum · 1958
Night Drum
★ 5.91958
MovieDramaHistory
Following a yearlong attendance upon his shogun in Edo, samurai Hikokuro makes a long-awaited return to his home and doting wife, Dane. Initially greeted by the effusive welcome of his family, spiteful whispers also reach his ear about an adulterous affair carried on, in his long absence, between his wife and a famous drummer. With Hikokuro’s honor imperiled by rumor, his family insists on a formal investigation into the veracity of the gossip. Through the combined testimony of many witnesses, a tale unwinds around the visits of a traveling musician hired to tutor the family heir, the spurned attentions of the man who started the rumor, and the ultimate truth behind the accusations. The conclusion of events prove as much an indictment of bushidō as it is of the reluctant parties involved. Adapted from a 1706 play by Chikamatsu Monzaemon and based on a true case.

Director

YukiYuki · 1981
Yuki
★ 7.31981
MovieAnimationAdventure
Up in Heaven, Yuki’s grandparents decide that, having turned thirteen years old, she must go down to Earth to a village that is torn by bandits and intervene to save its people. However if she does not succeed within one year she will become as insubstantial as the wind. Down in the village, Yuki is befriended by a group of orphans whose parents have all been killed by the bandits and who now subsist by begging. Yuki amazes them by taming the wild horse Blizzard. She is instrumental in getting the orphans and farmers to stand up to first the warring bandits and then Goemon, the greedy lord that owns the region. But Yuki must face her greatest challenge yet when the displeased Demon God that lives in the volcano emerges to destroy those who live beneath.

Director

If Indeed One LovesIf Indeed One Loves · 1955
If Indeed One Loves
★ 10.01955
MovieDrama
The film consists of three short stories. Tomiko, the heroine of the first story, "The Flower Girl" (dir. Kozaburo Yoshimura), is a little girl who bears the unbearable burden of caring for her family. Tomiko's father has been unable to find work for a long time, and her older sister is terminally ill—it is unlikely that she will ever recover. To feed her family, Tomiko runs around the city from morning until late at night selling flowers... The second novella (dir. Tadashi Imai) also depicts the lives of the poor. An unfamiliar girl brings young Kavano a letter from his mother. It turns out that the girl's name is Kuniko, she is very hardworking, but her family is dying of hunger. Therefore, her mother decided to send Kuniko to her son so that he would marry her. The short story is called "The Unexpected Bride." The third short story, which gave the film its title, is particularly interesting: "When You Love" (dir. Satsuo Yamamoto). It shows the family of a young peace activist.

Director