Maboroshi No Hikari (DVD) (English Subtitled) (Japan Version)

Product Description

One of the most visually beautiful movies ever made, Maboroshi no Hikari (a.k.a. Maborosi) is filmmaker Kore-eda Hirokazus impressive first foray into fictional storytelling. For Maborosi, Kore-eda turns his documentary directors eye on the rugged landscape of the Western Japanese coast, which serves as a starkly sublime backdrop for a tale of one young womans grievous loss & promise for spiritual renewal. The film draws on the traditions of Japans past directorial masters Ozu & Mizoguchi, but its also full of gorgeous moments that are purely Kore-edas own. Maborosi anticipates the directors later narrative filmmaking masterpieces After Life & Nobody Knows, as well as featuring an early performance from international star Asano Tadanobu ( Ichi the Killer).

Twentysomething Yumiko (Esumi Makiko, Pistol Opera) & her husband Ikuo (Asano) live in a small, run-down apartment in Osaka with their infant son. The young couple seems content with their life, but when Ikuo inexplicably commits suicide, Yumikos entire world falls apart around her. Accepting an arranged marriage in a small fishing village, Yumiko & her child attempt a fresh start. Although she soon comes to love the raw beauty of her new home, Yumiko remains haunted by the memory of Ikuo & the mystery surrounding his sudden death.