Hungry Soul (1956)
A quietly devastating Japanese melodrama from Nikkatsu, tracing forbidden desire and emotional hunger in postwar society.
Hungry Soul - Movie Information
- Original Title: 飢える魂
- Release Year: 1956
- Directed by: Yūzō Kawashima
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Romance
- Runtime: 1h 19m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 31, 1956 (Japan)
- Alternative Titles: Ueru tamashii (JP)
- Production Companies: Nikkatsu Corporation
- Production Countries: Japan
Hungry Soul - Plot
Reiko, who tolerates abuse in her marriage to a man 23 years her senior, is friends with Mayumi, a beautiful widow. Reiko meets her husband's business rival, a young, capable businessman, and falls for him. Meanwhile, Mayumi enters into a relationship with Shimotsuma, a friend of her late husband.
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Hungry Soul - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Yūzō Kawashima
Main Cast
- Tatsuya Mihashi
- Yōko Minamida
- Yukiko Todoroki
- Shirō Ōsaka
- Nobuo Kaneko
- Isamu Kosugi
- Yumi Takano
- Miyuki Kuwano
- Akira Kobayashi
- Setsuko Kato
Writers
- Yūzō Kawashima
- Ruiju Yanagisawa
Producers
- Kaneo Iwai
Hungry Soul - FAQs
What is Hungry Soul about?
Hungry Soul follows Reiko, a woman enduring an abusive marriage to a much older man, who falls for her husband's younger business rival. Alongside her, widowed friend Mayumi begins a new romance. The film explores emotional longing, marital dissatisfaction, and desire in postwar Japanese society.
Who directed Hungry Soul?
Hungry Soul was directed by Yūzō Kawashima, a celebrated Japanese filmmaker known for his sharp social observations and stylish approach to melodrama. Kawashima also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Ruiju Yanagisawa, making this a deeply personal creative work within his filmography.
Who are the main actors in Hungry Soul?
The film stars Tatsuya Mihashi as Retsuto Tachibana and Yōko Minamida as Reiko Shiba in the lead roles. The supporting cast includes Yukiko Todoroki, Shirō Ōsaka, Nobuo Kaneko, Isamu Kosugi, Yumi Takano, Miyuki Kuwano, Akira Kobayashi, and Setsuko Kato.
When was Hungry Soul released?
Hungry Soul was released on October 31, 1956, in Japan. Produced by Nikkatsu Corporation, the film arrived during a particularly fertile period for Japanese cinema, when studios were producing a wide range of socially engaged dramas and melodramas for domestic audiences.
Is Hungry Soul connected to Hungry Soul, Part II?
Yes. Hungry Soul (1956) is the first installment of a two-part story, also produced by Nikkatsu Corporation and released the same year. Hungry Soul, Part II continues the narrative threads established in the original film, following the same characters and their evolving romantic entanglements.
Where can you watch Hungry Soul online?
Streaming availability for Hungry Soul varies by region. You can check current viewing options, including any subscription, rental, or purchase platforms where the film may be available, by visiting JustWatch. The platform aggregates up-to-date streaming information for your specific location.
What genre is Hungry Soul?
Hungry Soul is a Drama and Romance film. It blends emotional melodrama with social commentary, examining the constraints placed on women within marriage in 1950s Japan, while also exploring themes of desire, friendship, and the search for personal fulfillment outside conventional domestic roles.
How long is Hungry Soul?
Hungry Soul has a runtime of 79 minutes, making it a compact and efficiently told drama. Director Yūzō Kawashima uses the lean running time to maintain narrative momentum, keeping the emotional stakes of both Reiko's and Mayumi's parallel romantic storylines tightly focused throughout.
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