Watch Kabei: Our Mother

Kabei: Our Mother is a Japanese drama movie, directed by Yoji Yamada, and released in 2008. The movie is set in Tokyo, in 1940, just as Japan was starting to get involved in World War II. The story is based on the autobiography of Teruyo Nogami, a prominent film producer who had a tragic childhood during the war. The movie begins with the everyday life of a family living in Tokyo. Shigeru and Kayo (played by Tadanobu Asano and Sayuri Yoshinaga respectively) are a married couple who have three daughters, Teruyo (played by Mirai Shida), Hatsuko, and Yukiko. Shigeru works as a philosophy professor at the local university, while Kayo is a homemaker. The family lives a modest but happy life, with the parents instilling their values of love, kindness, and courage in their children.

However, their lives take a drastic turn when Shigeru is arrested by the authorities for his left-wing political views. The family finds out that he has been taken to a detention center and will be held there without trial. Kayo is left to take care of the three girls on her own, struggling to provide for them with limited resources. Teruyo, the eldest daughter, takes on many of the responsibilities of the household, looking after her younger sisters and mother.

As the war progresses, the family faces further struggles. Food and other supplies become increasingly scarce, and Teruyo has to work at a factory to support her family. The bombings of Tokyo, which destroyed much of the city, also have a profound impact on the family. Despite the hardships, the family manages to stay together and support each other through these difficult times.

One of the central themes of the movie is the strength of the mother-daughter bond. Kayo and her daughters have an unbreakable bond, and she is their source of strength and hope throughout the war. They all work together to overcome the challenges they face, and their love for each other never wavers.

Another theme of the movie is the resilience and courage of ordinary people in the face of adversity. Despite the difficult circumstances they find themselves in, the family never gives up hope, and their unwavering determination to survive is truly inspiring. They are a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love and family.

The performances in Kabei: Our Mother are outstanding. Sayuri Yoshinaga, who plays Kayo, is particularly impressive, giving a nuanced and deeply moving performance. Mirai Shida, who plays Teruyo, also gives a standout performance, capturing the strength and courage of her character with remarkable skill.

Overall, Kabei: Our Mother is a powerful and moving movie that tells a compelling story of resilience, courage, and love in the face of hardship. It is a testament to the human spirit and a reminder of the importance of family and community in times of crisis.

Kabei: Our Mother is a 2008 kids & family movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 12 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6.