"Nijûshi No Hitomi" is an interesting film in that you initially think it's just a heart-warming story about a school teacher but it actually is a tale chronicling the rise of militarism and destruction of a generation. And, in the process, it draws you into the characters' lives and makes you appreciate the great loss--these were decent people.
This story begins in a country village in Japan in 1928. A young female teacher is beginning her first assignment and she has trouble with some of the locals not accepting her. They see her as a 'city girl' and despite connecting with the kids, has a hard time being accepted by the parents. The war in China and WWII are still years ahead. The twenty-four eyes in the story refers to the 12 adorable students in her charge--and the film follows them through the 1930s and into the 40s.
In many ways, the film is very slow and sweet as their lives unfold, but there is also a strong undercurrent of melancholy for losses that occur throughout the years as well as upcoming losses. This is heightened by the songs chosen throughout the film--all very, very sentimental. Heck, the entire film just drips sentiment. Now this is not a criticism--the film tries from start to finish to pull at your heart.
A change slowly occurs through the course of the film. As the Japanese militarism is on the rise, there is also a strong push for the teachers to teach only approved content--content that encourages patriotism and self-sacrifice--turning the children into 'good' little children who want to go off to war. Anyone not espousing this view in the classroom is labeled a 'Red' and the teacher is finding it harder and harder to teach in such an environment. It's also tough because she really can't speak her mind or encourage her male students to lives outside the military. As a result, she decides to quit her job and raise a family of her own. In this, the film really does a good job. Instead of just saying that militarism is evil and destructive, you slowly see the students grow...and then die in a war of aggression. And, you then see the teacher's own kids as they, too, are infected with this view of the world.
By the time the movie is complete, Japan has been defeated, the teacher has lost her husband to the war and many of her students from long ago are dead as well. The teacher is just thrilled that all the killing is over and that they can return to normal--something they haven't seen for many years. but, unfortunately, the sad times are not completely behind them. However, now things have come full circle, as the teacher can now finally return back to work--and she has many students who are the children of her original class back in 1928. Later, after class, seeing her wander through the graveyard looking at all the familiar names is quite touching.
Overall, this is a very melancholy but beautiful movie. Despite being extremely long and slow, it's not over-long and manages to capture the viewer--pulling them into this sad time. Through very deliberate pacing, exceptional acting and very, very, very sentimental music, the film makes its point so well. When this debuted in Japan, the theaters must have been filled with sobbing patrons.
By the way, for another great Japanese film about the waste of WWII, try watching "Fires On The Plain" ("Nobi"). It's very, very different from this film--but exceptional nevertheless.
This story begins in a country village in Japan in 1928. A young female teacher is beginning her first assignment and she has trouble with some of the locals not accepting her. They see her as a 'city girl' and despite connecting with the kids, has a hard time being accepted by the parents. The war in China and WWII are still years ahead. The twenty-four eyes in the story refers to the 12 adorable students in her charge--and the film follows them through the 1930s and into the 40s.
In many ways, the film is very slow and sweet as their lives unfold, but there is also a strong undercurrent of melancholy for losses that occur throughout the years as well as upcoming losses. This is heightened by the songs chosen throughout the film--all very, very sentimental. Heck, the entire film just drips sentiment. Now this is not a criticism--the film tries from start to finish to pull at your heart.
A change slowly occurs through the course of the film. As the Japanese militarism is on the rise, there is also a strong push for the teachers to teach only approved content--content that encourages patriotism and self-sacrifice--turning the children into 'good' little children who want to go off to war. Anyone not espousing this view in the classroom is labeled a 'Red' and the teacher is finding it harder and harder to teach in such an environment. It's also tough because she really can't speak her mind or encourage her male students to lives outside the military. As a result, she decides to quit her job and raise a family of her own. In this, the film really does a good job. Instead of just saying that militarism is evil and destructive, you slowly see the students grow...and then die in a war of aggression. And, you then see the teacher's own kids as they, too, are infected with this view of the world.
By the time the movie is complete, Japan has been defeated, the teacher has lost her husband to the war and many of her students from long ago are dead as well. The teacher is just thrilled that all the killing is over and that they can return to normal--something they haven't seen for many years. but, unfortunately, the sad times are not completely behind them. However, now things have come full circle, as the teacher can now finally return back to work--and she has many students who are the children of her original class back in 1928. Later, after class, seeing her wander through the graveyard looking at all the familiar names is quite touching.
Overall, this is a very melancholy but beautiful movie. Despite being extremely long and slow, it's not over-long and manages to capture the viewer--pulling them into this sad time. Through very deliberate pacing, exceptional acting and very, very, very sentimental music, the film makes its point so well. When this debuted in Japan, the theaters must have been filled with sobbing patrons.
By the way, for another great Japanese film about the waste of WWII, try watching "Fires On The Plain" ("Nobi"). It's very, very different from this film--but exceptional nevertheless.