Screening in 35mm.
Adapted from Fumiko Hayashi’s best-sellling novel, Mikio Naruse’s undisputed masterpiece contrasts two characters: a strong woman who relentlessly pursues her desire while hoping her lover and society will understand what she has to do to survive, and her lover who craves a conventionally validated social identity.
To him, she represents a blind spot that he cannot face. They love each other, but the times are out of kilter and they are hopelessly out of synch, trying to live as individuals in a newly democratised Japan. One of the key works from one of Japan’s master filmmakers.
Too Much: Melodrama on Film
Running from October - December 2025, Too Much: Melodrama on Film is a UK wide programme supported by BFI and BFI FAN which celebrates the visual excess and dramatic potency of a form of cinema which champions emotional intensity over propriety and ‘good taste’. This autumn, we're presenting live events and classic titles, to make you swoon, weep and make a scene!
Explore Too Much: Melodrama on Film
Showroom Classics
At Showroom Cinema, we pride ourselves on giving audiences the chance to watch a wide variety of films from cinema history. Re watch old favourites, and discover hidden gems.
Director Mikio Naruse
Year 1955
Duration
2h 3m
Language Japanese with English subtitles
Cast Hideko Takamine , Masayuki Mori, Mariko Okada