Madadayo

As the Japanese academic and author Hyakken Uchida (1889-1971) winds down his illustrious career as a professor of German on the eve of World War II, he makes a tearful announcement to his students that sends them into a tailspin. Little do they know, this is only the beginning of a series of unexpected twists and turns in Uchida's life. Fast forward to 1943, when he relocates to a spacious abode with his wife, but their concerns about neighborhood safety are assuaged by an unconventional visit from two students who stumble upon a set of instructions penned by Uchida himself on how to break into the house.

As the war rages on, Uchida's humble dinner party becomes a poignant reminder of wartime scarcity as he and his wife struggle to serve a meager meal of venison and horse meat to their guests. The harsh realities of war soon come knocking when Uchida's home is reduced to ashes in a devastating bombing raid, forcing him and his wife to take up residence in a small shack with limited amenities.

In the aftermath of the war, Uchida's former students rally around him to host a grand banquet in his honor, dubbing it "The Not Yet Banquet" after his repeated refrain that he's not yet ready to meet his maker. The evening's festivities are punctuated by the arrival of two American military policemen, who can't help but crack a smile as they take in the joyous atmosphere.

As Uchida rebuilds his life with the help of his students, he finds solace in the companionship of a stray alley cat that becomes an integral part of their lives. When a developer swoops in to purchase the adjacent lot, Uchida refuses to back down, realizing that the development would cast a shadow over their new home. His students band together to buy the lot and return it to its original owner, ensuring that Uchida's view remains unobstructed.

But fate has one final trick up its sleeve. During a torrential storm, Alley vanishes into thin air, sending Uchida tumbling into a deep depression. Convinced that his beloved pet is still out there somewhere, he embarks on a desperate search, enlisting the help of his students, local schools, and the townspeople. Alas, every lead proves false, leaving Uchida to confront the cruel reality that he may never see Alley again.

As fate would have it, the arrival of a new feline companion, Kurz (German for "short"), ushers in a profound shift in Uchida's emotional landscape. The melancholy that had once beset him begins to lift, replaced by an air of hope and renewal. This newfound sense of purpose is soon put to the test as his former students gather for their 17th Not Yet Banquet, now an inclusive celebration where children of his protégés present him with a bouquet of flowers and grandchildren surprise him with a magnificent cake.

As Uchida takes his seat to deliver remarks, he's showered with affection and gratitude. However, the exertion proves too much for his frail frame, and he succumbs to arrhythmia, prompting a hasty departure to his home for rest. As he drifts off into slumber, his subconscious transports him back to a carefree era, reliving the thrill of childhood Hide-and-seek. The other children's incessant queries – "Are you ready?" – echo through his dream as he frantically searches for the perfect hiding spot, finally finding solace and gazing out at the golden sun.

In this poignant interlude, we're reminded that even amidst the turbulence of life, moments of beauty and tranquility can be found. Many of the film's vignettes, including the search for a missing cat and Uchida's harrowing experience in a one-room hut following a bombing raid, draw inspiration from his own writings. Meanwhile, the movie affords Kurosawa the opportunity to thoughtfully address aspects of modern Japanese history, such as the American occupation of Japan, which he had previously only been able to explore indirectly through his earlier works.