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6.9/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.9/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Nakinureta haru no onna yo remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you like movies that smell like coal dust and hopelessness, then sure. This isn't a breezy weekend watch. It's for people who want to see how quickly things go south when you're desperate for work. If you prefer your cinema polished or lighthearted, you’ll probably want to skip this one entirely.
The whole thing kicks off on this boat to Hokkaido. You can practically feel the humidity sticking to your clothes just watching it. Kenji and Chuko are clearly out of their depth, even before they meet the boss, Guzuyasu. That guy? He’s the kind of character you instinctively want to step away from.
Ohama is interesting, though. She’s got this goal—opening a bar—which feels so flimsy against the backdrop of the mines. It’s a nice bit of contrast. I kept wondering if she’d actually pull it off or if the place would just swallow her whole like it does everyone else.
The pacing is a bit weird. It lingers on faces for way too long sometimes, especially during the quiet parts on the water. You start to notice the textures of the boat deck and the way the light hits the waves. It’s almost hypnotic until someone starts shouting about work quotas again.
I couldn't help but think about how different this is from something like The Argonauts of California - 1849. Both are about people chasing a buck in a harsh environment, but the energy here is way more trapped. There’s nowhere to run once you’re in those mines.
There’s a scene where they’re eating—I don’t even know what it was, just some gray-looking mush—and nobody says a word. The sound design is surprisingly loud in its silence. It’s the kind of small detail that makes you realize someone actually sat down and thought about how uncomfortable these people should be.
The boss, Guzuyasu, is a total piece of work. There's this one moment where he stares at Kenji like he’s calculating how much labor he can squeeze out of him before he breaks. It’s not even a dramatic line, just a look. It sticks with you.
Maybe it’s not as polished as The Night of Love, but it’s got a pulse. It feels like a real, dirty slice of life from a time most people would rather forget.
I caught myself checking my watch, not because I was bored, but because I was nervous for them. That’s a good sign, right? Maybe. Or maybe I just needed a drink.
Some of the dialogue is super stiff. Like, nobody talks like that in real life. But then again, maybe that’s the point? It feels like they’re all reciting lines to keep from screaming.
Anyway, watch it if you're in the mood for something heavy. Just don't expect a happy ending. Or a happy middle, for that matter. 🪨⛏️
IMDb 6.3
1922
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