The Making of "A Taxing Woman's Return" (1988)
A candid behind-the-scenes documentary capturing Juzo Itami's creative process on his acclaimed 1988 Japanese sequel.
The Making of "A Taxing Woman's Return" - Movie Information
- Original Title: マルサの女2をマルサする
- Release Year: 1988
- Directed by: Masayuki Suō
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Documentary
- Runtime: 1h 49m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Production Companies: Geneon Entertainment
- Production Countries: Japan
- Alternative Titles: Making of A Taxing Woman's Return (US)
The Making of "A Taxing Woman's Return" - Plot
A behind-the-scenes look at the creative process behind Juzo Itami's "Marusa no Onna 2" a.k.a. "A Taxing Woman's Return".
Where to Watch The Making of "A Taxing Woman's Return"
Looking for where to watch The Making of "A Taxing Woman's Return"?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
The Making of "A Taxing Woman's Return" - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Masayuki Suō
Main Cast
- Jūzō Itami
- Nobuko Miyamoto
- Rentaro Mikuni
- Masahiko Tsugawa
- Yasuo Daichi
Writers
- Masayuki Suō
Producers
- Yasushi Tamaoki
- Toshiro Uratani
The Making of "A Taxing Woman's Return" - FAQs
What is The Making of 'A Taxing Woman's Return' about?
It's an intimate behind-the-scenes documentary that pulls back the curtain on director Juzo Itami's creative process while making "A Taxing Woman's Return." Directed by Masayuki Suō, it captures the production's inner workings, offering a rare and candid look at how one of Japan's most celebrated filmmakers brought his vision to life.
Who directed this behind-the-scenes documentary?
Masayuki Suō directed this documentary. He's perhaps best known internationally for the beloved 1996 dance comedy "Shall We Dance?" — so it's a fascinating early entry in his career, offering a window into the world of another major Japanese filmmaker.
Who appears in The Making of 'A Taxing Woman's Return'?
The documentary features Juzo Itami, Nobuko Miyamoto, Rentaro Mikuni, Masahiko Tsugawa, and Yasuo Daichi — all appearing as themselves. Seeing the cast and director in their natural working environment gives the film a wonderfully authentic, unguarded quality.
What is 'A Taxing Woman's Return' that this documents?
"A Taxing Woman's Return" (Marusa no Onna 2, 1988) is Juzo Itami's sequel to his hit satirical comedy "A Taxing Woman." The follow-up shifts focus toward religious organizations exploiting tax loopholes, and it became another major success for Itami and star Nobuko Miyamoto in Japan.
What genre is The Making of 'A Taxing Woman's Return'?
It's a documentary — specifically a making-of film. If you enjoy watching the craft behind cinema, exploring how directors, actors, and crew collaborate to bring a story to screen, this kind of behind-the-scenes access is genuinely rewarding, especially for fans of Japanese film.
How long is The Making of 'A Taxing Woman's Return'?
The documentary runs for 109 minutes — nearly two hours. That's a substantial runtime for a making-of feature, suggesting it goes well beyond a simple promotional piece and offers a genuinely deep dive into the production of Itami's film.
What are similar documentaries to this film?
If you enjoy this kind of behind-the-scenes filmmaking, you might also like "Sans Soleil" (1983), "The Big One" (1997), "High School" (1969), "Fire at Sea" (2016), "Avatar: Creating the World of Pandora" (2010), or "Squid Game: Making Season 2" (2025) — all compelling documentary works in their own right.
Who wrote and produced this documentary?
Masayuki Suō handled the writing duties, while Yasushi Tamaoki and Toshiro Uratani served as producers. Cinematographer Yuichi Nagata was behind the camera, capturing the day-to-day reality of a major Japanese film production in 1988.
More About The Making of "A Taxing Woman's Return"
Explore further details about this documentary on these trusted resources.