Ninjô kami fûsen (1937)

Ninjô kami fûsen: Directed by Sadao Yamanaka. With Chôjûrô Kawarasaki, Kan’emon Nakamura, Tsuruzô Nakamura, Chôemon Bandô. The lives of two slum neighbors, one of a happy-go-lucky gambler and the other of a poor ronin, converge when the two get involved with the affairs of a powerful samurai official and his gangsters.

“This is my favorite Japanese film along with Mizoguchiu0026#39;s u0026quot;Street of shameu0026quot;, Naruseu0026#39;s u0026quot;Floating cloudsu0026quot; and Ozuu0026#39;s u0026quot;Late springu0026quot;. Itu0026#39;s for me also one of the best 1937 movies, maybe the best, but McCareyu0026#39;s u0026quot;Make way for tomorrowu0026quot; deserves that honour too. Iu0026#39;ve seen in very few movies such beauty, such indignation and courage to pass over a miserable existence (that unforgettable character named Shinza, the Tom Joad of the story) and i must admit that the final ten minutes are the best thing iu0026#39;ve seen in years. It will probably seem a tiny film, sober and little in all aspects but if you can pay attention itu0026#39;s a moving experience and one the most important proofs of the superiority of cinema above all arts.”