OUR LITTLE SISTER
Japan, 2015, 128 minutes, Colour.
Directed by Hirokazu Koreeda.
Our Little Sister is a pleasing contemporary Japanese story, drawing on the many traditions of films about Japanese families, memories also of Chekhov and the three sisters.
The film introduces us to three adult sisters, the different personalities, the different jobs, their interactions. They have been alienated from their father who has married again and also has another daughter.
When they travel to the funeral, the encounter the new daughter, very polite, having a difficult time with her mother, and take a liking to her. They invite her to come to live with them, something with which she agrees.
While the film focuses on each of the older sisters, their work, their relationships, and their relationship with each other, it also focuses on the life of the young girl, in the new family, going to school, excelling at sport, leading a different life.
There are also discussions about the relationships, their father, her mother, and a return home for another funeral.
While some of the issues are harsh in themselves, the treatment of this film is quite genial and pleasingly emotional.
1. Contemporary Japanese story? The traditions of Japanese films about families? 21st-century version? Have three Sisters and the pattern, memories of Chekhov question the title? The focus on our and the sisters, the younger sister?
2. The film is a true women’s film, female sensibilities, characters, interactions, the sisters, their mother, their father’s response to her, his other wives? The focus on the system? They’re welcoming her? Their lives, work, bonds? Eliciting empathy from the male audience?
3. The situation, the father’s death, his leaving their mother, his other wife and her daughter, the new wife and children? His death? The talk about him, judging his behaviour? But that he could produce a good childlike Susan?
4. Introduction to the three sisters, the oldest, her bringing up the others, working hospital, her skills, the relationship with the doctor, they’re talking, his thinking getting a divorce, her being offered roles of leadership? The middle sister, and the bank, her relationships, her visits with her co-worker, the social situations and their offering help? The younger sister, young, rowdy, her boyfriend, involvement in the sports, the store? Their scenes together, at home, the bonds and their interaction?
5. Sousa, meeting the sisters, the courtesy and Bowers? The funeral, the crowds gathering, her antipathy towards her own mother? The conduct of the funeral? The discussion with older generation? The sisters taking her to see that you? Seeing them off at the train? The invitation for her to come acceptance?
6. Susan, her age, at school, the boys, friends, girls, the sports, her life as a teenager?
7. Settling at home, the welcomed them the sisters, her room, the meals, the discussions, the clothes…?
8. The death of the mother of three sisters, beating her husband, his long after the mother, her funeral?
9. The many themes of bonding, love and friendship, the walk on the beach – and their future?
