Genbaku no ko

Aug 6 1952 Not Rated 1h 37m
Drama, War

Shows the devastation caused by the atomic bomb, and by use of a fictional storyline, portrays the struggle of the ordinary Japanese people in dealing with the aftermath.

Plot

Six years after the atomic bombing of 06 August 1945, the school teacher Takako Ishikawa returns to Hiroshima on her vacation to visit friends and to honor her parents that died in the bombing. Takako was raised by her uncle and aunt. While in her hometown she stays with her friend, Natsue Morikawa, who has become infertile due to the side effect of the A-bomb. While walking along the destroyed city, she sees a former family friend, Iwakichi, who worked with her father, and is almost blind and has become a beggar. She pays a visit to his shanty in the slums and discovers that his grandson, Taro, is living in an orphanage since Iwakichi's shanty is no place to raise the child. When Morikawa tells her that three former pupils from the kindergarten have survived to the bombing, Takako pays a visit to each one of them and finds how the A-bomb and the radiation have affected their lives. Before returning home, Takako asks Iwakachi to let her bring Taro with her; but their bond is very strong.

Written by

Arata Osada, Kaneto Shindô

Directed by

Kaneto Shindô

Production Countries

Japan

Production Companies

Kindai Eiga Kyokai, The Mingei Theatre Company

Languages

Awards

Won 1 BAFTA Award1 win & 1 nomination total

Scores
# of Votes
1,432
Average Rating
7.6 out of 10
Metascore
86
Popularity
NA