Hana(film)

Hana - the Tale of a Reluctant Samurai,known in Japan asHana yori mo Naho(Hoa よりもなほ),is a 2006 Japanesejidaigekiby directorHirokazu Kore-eda.The film was released in theUnited StatesbyFunimationwho also gave it an English-language dub.

Hana (Hana yori mo Naho - hoa よりもなほ)
Directed by	Hirokazu Kore-eda
Written by	Hirokazu Kore-eda
Produced by	Nozomu Enoki Shiho Sato Hijiri Taguchi
Starring	Junichi Okada Rie Miyazawa
Cinematography	Yutaka Yamasaki
Edited by	Hirokazu Kore-eda
Distributed by	Shochiku(Japan) Funimation(USA)
Release date	June 3, 2006(2006-06-03)
Running time	127 minutes
Country	Japan
Language	Japanese

Story

The story takes place over one year during Japan'sGenrokuera, beginning at the start of 1702.

A young and inexperienced samurai, Aoki Sozaemon, has come fromMatsumototoEdo.Living in a slum, he waits to locate and take revenge against his father's killer, to restore honor to his clan's name. However, his impoverished, revenge-driven life takes a negative toll on him, as does his discovery that his intended victim, another low-status samurai, has a wife and young children. Eventually, Soza must decide: to kill, or not kill?

Making up the backdrop of the film are the many other residents of the slum, including children, the landlord, a group putting on an amateur play, as well as a young widow, Osae, with whom Soza becomes romantically involved.

Unbeknownst to everyone, also living in the slum are a small group ofsamurai,members ofThe 47 Ronin,hiding and planning before their revenge attack onKira Yoshinaka's mansion. This occurs one year later at the climax of the film.

Cast

• Junichi Okadaas Sōzaemon "Sōza" Aoki
• Rie Miyazawaas Osae
• Tadanobu Asanoas Jubei Kanazawa
• Arata Furutaas Sadashiro
• Terajima Susumuas Kichiemon Terasaka
• Teruyuki Kagawaas Jirozaemon Hirano
• Jun Kunimuraas Isekan
• Seiji Chihara as Tomekichi

Reception

Film critic Andrew Thayne of the Asian Movie Pulse said that "Koreeda makes an unconventional take on the samurai film, as a young samurai struggles with his role as both samurai and son."

External links

• HanaatIMDb
• HanaatLetterboxd