| After the Rain | |
| Director: | Takashi Koizumi |
| Producer: | Masato Hara |
| Screenplay: | Akira Kurosawa |
| Story: | Shugoro Yamamoto |
| Starring: |
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| Music: | Masaru Sato |
| Cinematography: | Shoji Ueda |
| Editing: | Hideto Aga |
| Production Companies: |
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| Distributor: | Toho |
| Runtime: | 91 minutes |
| Country: |
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is a 1999 Japanese and French film. The story is based on the last script written by Akira Kurosawa and is directed by his former assistant director of 28 years, Takashi Koizumi. It was awarded a Japanese Academy Award in 1999. It was chosen as Best Film at the Japan Academy Prize ceremony.[1] It was Japan's official submission for Best Foreign Language Film at the 73rd Academy Awards, but was not accepted as a nominee.
A group of travelers are stranded in a small country inn when the local river floods. As the bad weather continues, tensions rise amongst the travelers trapped at the inn. A traveling rōnin (masterless samurai), Ihei Misawa, takes it upon himself to cheer everyone up by arranging a splendid feast. Unfortunately he has no money and in order to pay for the feast he visits the local dojos and challenges the masters there for payment, termed in the film as prize fighting. Later, after breaking up a duel between two young retainers of the local clan, the daimyō Shigeaki is impressed by Misawa's skill and temperament, Lord Shigeaki offers Misawa employment as a sword master. Misawa has a tense interaction with the lord and his retainers, revealing his prowess at their expense.
The film also shows the tender relationship he has with his wife, Tayo, and provides insights into the way of life of a rōnin's wife.
After the Rain premiered at the Venice Film Festival on October 25, 1999. It was released in Japan on January 22, 2000 where it was distributed by Toho and placed fourth at the box office for the week.[2] It was released in France on May 3, 2000 where it was distributed by Opening Distribution.[3]
. The Toho Studios Story: A History and Complete Filmography . Scarecrow Press . 2008 . 978-1461673743 . Stuart Galbraith IV.