Her Brother (おとうと, Otōto, lit. "Younger brother") is a 1960 Japanese drama film directed by Kon Ichikawa. The film is based on the novel Otōto by Aya Koda.[1][2][3] It was entered into the 1961 Cannes Film Festival, where it won a prize for Special Distinction.[4]
![]() | This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2022) |
Her Brother | |
---|---|
![]() Original Japanese poster. | |
Directed by | Kon Ichikawa |
Written by | Yōko Mizuki |
Based on | Otōto by Aya Koda |
Produced by |
|
Starring | Keiko Kishi |
Cinematography | Kazuo Miyagawa |
Edited by | Tatsuji Nakashizu |
Music by | Yasushi Akutagawa |
Production company | Daiei Film |
Distributed by | Daiei Film |
Release date |
|
Running time | 97 minutes[1] |
Country | Japan |
Language | Japanese |
17-year-old Gen takes care of the household of her family due to her stepmother's rheumatism. Meanwhile, her younger brother Hekiro lives a carefree life, repeatedly getting into trouble and making gambling debts. Neither his stepmother interferes with his behaviour, nor does the detached father, a famous novelist. Only Gen scolds Hekiro from time to time, for which he ridicules her, although she is completely devoted to him. When Hekiro falls terminally ill with tuberculosis and is hospitalised, with his sister being the only regular visitor, he finally regrets his behaviour. After Hekiro's death, Gen is taken back home with anemia by the hospital personnel, but once she awakes, she returns to her role as the housekeeper without questioning.
In order to achieve a desaturated look, the film made use of a cinematographic technique known as bleach bypass.[1] Ichikawa had been inspired by the photography for John Huston's 1956 adaptation of Moby-Dick.[citation needed]