Love, Be with Humanity: Part 1 – A Glimpse into Early Japanese Cinema

Okay, so you're thinking about digging into some really old cinema, huh? Love, Be with Humanity: Part 1 is one of those pieces that definitely isn't for everyone. If you're someone who appreciates the craft of early filmmaking, or just curious about how stories were told before big budgets and CGI, then yeah, you might find something here. But if you need fast pacing or perfectly polished acting, you'll probably bounce off this pretty quick. It's a slow burn, for sure, with moments that really stick with you, and others that just... don't quite land. 🕰️

It's from 1931, so you gotta adjust your expectations right away. This isn't just an old movie; it's a window into a different world of storytelling. The plot itself, as the title implies, is a big sweeping look at people trying to find their way, and what it means to be human in a society that isn't always kind. It's a little vague, but that's part of its charm, I think.

There are these long, still shots sometimes. You see characters just *thinking*. Like, for a really long time. It gives you space to wonder what's going on in their heads, but sometimes you just want them to *do* something, you know?

Hideko Takamine, even as a child actor here, really shines. There's this scene where she's just watching something unfold from a distance, and her expression — it's so **full of quiet sadness**. It's the kind of thing that makes you lean forward a bit, even if the scene around her feels a little stiff. Her eyes tell a story all on their own.

The intertitles are fascinating. They’re not just dialogue. Sometimes they're like little philosophical statements, or just setting a mood. It's a whole different rhythm than modern movies, where everything is usually said out loud. Some of them feel almost poetic, others, a little clunky.

One specific moment that kept me thinking was this street scene. It's not a big action sequence or anything, but the way the extras move, or rather, *don't* move, it’s almost like they’re waiting for a cue that never quite comes. You get a sense of the era, the quietness of it all, but also this odd formality. 🚶‍♀️

The director, Tokusaburō Murakami, he has a certain vision. You feel it in how scenes are framed. Often, characters are placed off-center, or there's a lot of empty space around them. It makes them feel a bit isolated, even when they're in a crowd.

It's interesting because the film is titled "Part 1." It feels like it's building up to something much larger, a grander narrative. But then you remember it's a film from the early 30s, and sometimes these things were just… left open. Or maybe the second part is lost to time. Who knows, right?

There's a male lead, I think it's Hisao Furuya, he plays a role that's meant to be important. His character often seems to carry the weight of the world. But honestly, sometimes he just looked tired. Like he needed a nap. It’s hard to tell if that was the character, or just the acting style of the time. 🤔

The pacing, it's a thing. You get used to it. Or you don't. There are sequences that stretch on, building a mood slowly. Then others feel a little rushed, like they had to fit something in. It's not always smooth, but that's part of its charm.

I noticed one shot of a city skyline that, for 1931, was surprisingly grand. It gives you a real sense of scale, how big the world felt, even then. It’s a fleeting image, but it stuck with me.

It’s not trying to be flashy. There are no huge special effects. It's all about the performances, the subtle gestures, and the way light and shadow play on a face. You really have to settle in and let it wash over you.

So, is it a masterpiece? Probably not in the way we think of masterpieces today. But it's an important piece of cinema history. A film that helps us understand where movies came from. It's a bit of a trek, but there are these small, **genuinely moving moments** that make it worth the effort if you're patient enough. Think of it less as entertainment, more like an old photograph come to life. 🎞️

Didja notice?

• That one shot of a flower, just sitting there, completely still.
• The strange, almost musical way some of the intertitles appear on screen.
• The costumes, so formal, even for everyday scenes.
• One character's hat, it just kept slipping slightly to one side.
• The way people nod to show agreement, very formal, very deliberate.