Family Diary (1938)
A quietly compelling Japanese drama from director Hiroshi Shimizu, tracing friendship, family, and the friction that emerges when lives intertwine.
Family Diary - Movie Information
- Original Title: 家庭日記
- Release Year: 1938
- Directed by: Hiroshi Shimizu
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 39m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 29, 1938 (Japan)
- Alternative Titles: Katei nikki (JP)
- Production Companies: Shochiku
- Production Countries: Japan
Family Diary - Plot
Two childhood friends go their own ways but meet again some years later after they have both married. They get re-acquainted, meet each others' families, and all is well. Then the disagreements start...
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Family Diary - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Hiroshi Shimizu
Main Cast
- Ken Uehara
- Michiko Kuwano
- Shin Saburi
- Sanae Takasugi
- Kuniko Miyake
- Mitsuko Miura
- Hideo Fujino
- Mitsuko Yoshikawa
- Kenji Oyama
- Takeshi Sakamoto
Writers
- Tadao Ikeda
Family Diary - FAQs
What is Family Diary (1938) about?
Family Diary follows two childhood friends who reunite as adults after both have married. Their families grow close, but domestic friction gradually surfaces, turning a warm reconnection into a study of tension, disagreement, and the quiet complexities of everyday Japanese family life.
Who directed Family Diary?
Family Diary was directed by Hiroshi Shimizu, a prolific and celebrated Japanese filmmaker active during the golden era of Shochiku studio cinema. Shimizu was known for his humanistic storytelling, naturalistic performances, and sensitive portrayals of domestic and social life in prewar Japan.
Who are the main actors in Family Diary?
The film stars Ken Uehara as Ichiro Tsuji, Shin Saburi as Shuzo Ubukata, Michiko Kuwano as Ume, Sanae Takasugi as Shinako, and Kuniko Miyake as Kikue Hara, alongside Mitsuko Miura, Hideo Fujino, Mitsuko Yoshikawa, Kenji Oyama, and Takeshi Sakamoto.
When was Family Diary released?
Family Diary was released on September 29, 1938, in Japan. The film was produced by Shochiku, one of Japan's oldest and most prestigious film studios, during a particularly fertile period for Japanese domestic drama in the late 1930s.
What genre is Family Diary?
Family Diary is a drama. It belongs to the tradition of Japanese shomin-geki — films centered on the lives of ordinary middle-class people — a genre that Shochiku studio and directors like Hiroshi Shimizu helped define and elevate during the 1930s.
How long is Family Diary?
Family Diary has a runtime of 99 minutes, or approximately 1 hour and 39 minutes. The film's measured pace allows Hiroshi Shimizu to develop character relationships gradually, letting domestic tensions emerge organically rather than through dramatic plot contrivances.
Where can I watch Family Diary online?
Streaming availability for Family Diary varies by region and platform. As a 1938 Japanese film, it may be accessible through specialty platforms dedicated to classic or world cinema. Check JustWatch for a current overview of all viewing options available in your region.
Who wrote the screenplay for Family Diary?
The screenplay for Family Diary was written by Tadao Ikeda, a prominent screenwriter who collaborated frequently with Shochiku studio during the 1930s. Ikeda was known for crafting nuanced, character-driven scripts that captured the rhythms and tensions of Japanese domestic life.
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