Watch Japanese Girls at the Harbor

Japanese Girls at the Harbor is a 1933 Japanese silent film directed by Hiroshi Shimizu. The film tells the story of two young girls, Sunako and Dora, who work at a small port town. Sunako has a troubled home life and a reputation for being promiscuous, while Dora comes from a wealthier family and dreams of traveling to Paris. The film opens with a shot of the harbor, where we see Sunako and Dora happily chatting and enjoying the sea breeze. We learn that Sunako lives with her alcoholic father, who often abuses her. She works at a local bar and is known to have multiple lovers, which causes some people in the town to look down on her.

On the other hand, Dora works at a small perfume shop and dreams of traveling to Paris with her boyfriend, who works at a shipping company. Despite their different backgrounds, Sunako and Dora are close friends and often hang out together.

One day, a young sailor named Henry arrives at the port and befriends Sunako. They spend time together and bond over their difficult family lives. However, their relationship is short-lived as Henry is quickly transferred to another ship.

Meanwhile, Dora's boyfriend invites her to a party hosted by his wealthy friends. At the party, Dora is introduced to a fashion designer who offers her a job in Paris. Overjoyed, Dora prepares to leave for Paris, but her dreams are shattered when she learns that her boyfriend had stolen a necklace from his employer to pay for her trip. In a dramatic turn of events, Dora's boyfriend is caught and arrested, and she is left with nothing but her shattered dreams.

As the film progresses, we see the two girls struggle with the realities of their lives. Sunako is faced with the harsh truth that she cannot escape her troubled home life and is forced to face the consequences of her actions. Dora must come to terms with the fact that her dreams may not come true, and she must find a new path for herself.

Japanese Girls at the Harbor is a beautifully shot film that captures the essence of a small port town in Japan in the 1930s. Shimizu's use of naturalistic lighting and camera movements creates a realistic and immersive world that draws the viewer into the story. The film's focus on the lives of ordinary people, particularly young women, is refreshing, and the nuanced performances of Michiko Oikawa and Yukiko Inoue as Sunako and Dora add depth and complexity to their characters.

Overall, Japanese Girls at the Harbor is a poignant and heartfelt film that explores themes of friendship, love, and the struggles of everyday life. It is a timeless classic that remains relevant and relatable to this day.