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Yuzo Kawashima is the missing link between the collective style of Japanese cinema in the first half, and the second halves of the twentieth century. His movies, predominantly based on melodrama, exude a sense of classic Japanese cinema as we know it to be. However, they are also modern in their outlooks, more so than the works of the other major directors of his era. “Hungry Soul, Part II” is the sequel of his “Hungry Soul,” released in the same year.

Reiko Shiba still tolerates continuous abuse from her husband, Naokichi Shiba. However, a flicker of hope in her life is the value shown to her by a business rival of her husband, Retsuto Tachibana. Reiko falls for Tachibana and dreams of a happy life, free from the constant degradation she is subjected to by her husband, who treats her like a maid rather than his wife.

Sanshiro Sugata

Written by Akira Kurosawa and Tomita Tsuneo

Directed by Akira Kurosawa

Japan, 1943

Akira Kurosawa’s feature length debut opens with a wandering young man named Sanshiro Sugata (Susumu Fujita) arriving into town where he aspires to earn a place under the tutelage of a great jujitsu master. Shortly thereafter Sanshiro learns first-hand that his would be instructors are perhaps not all they are cracked to be. Their attempt to rustle a rival sensei’s feathers, Shogoro Yano (Denjiro Okochi) is ill fated, as Yano handles each attacker with the greatest of ease. Much to Sanshiro’s surprise, the victor of the contest practices judo rather than jujitsu. Under the auspices of Yano’s strict but just guidance, as well as through the trials and tribulations and a martial arts tournament, that Sanshiro will learn to control his bustling energy, channeling it to become a better, more composed human being.