Directed by
Hirokazu Koreeda
Made by
Film Movement
As the clock struck 12:30 am on October 11, 2017, a horrifying scene played out alongside the banks of the Tama River. A man’s charred remains lay in the shadows, the result of a vicious assault followed by a ruthless incineration. This dreadful incident would soon unravel into a complex and deeply unsettling murder investigation.
In the midst of this turmoil was Shigemori, a seasoned criminal defense attorney, accompanied by his loyal assistant Kawashima. Their journey commenced at the Yokohama Detention Center, where they met Misumi, the man accused of robbery and murder. Misumi’s past was ominous—he bore a previous conviction from 30 years ago when Shigemori’s own father served as the presiding judge. This judgment had spared Misumi from the death penalty, only to see him recently released.
As they dug deeper into the case, Shigemori and Kawashima encountered a labyrinth of deceptions and contradictions in Misumi’s explanations. He asserted that he had killed the former owner of a food factory in Kawasaki to settle debts, claiming influence from substances during the act. Yet, his prior attorney Settsu provided evidence indicating that Misumi had premeditated the crime long before that fateful night.
The discrepancies in Misumi’s recounting unraveled as quickly as they were formed. He spoke of returning to the factory to retrieve gasoline post-murder, even injuring his hand in the process. Amid reviewing the intricate details, Shigemori’s team saw a chance to mitigate the charges against him.
But as the investigation advanced, they stumbled upon a perplexing cross left at the crime scene, a potential signpost leading them to a teenage girl who walked with a pronounced limp. This clue piqued their interest about possible motivations and underlying connections. Further scrutiny of surveillance footage and the victim’s wallet revealed something astonishing—Misumi had stolen money after the murder, forcing Shigemori to reassess his client’s intentions, effectively challenging any arguments of theft.
A somber visit to the victim’s family, bearing a letter from Misumi, brought Shigemori into the emotional storm raging within the victim’s teenage daughter, whose limp mirrored the symbol left at the crime scene. Without forgiveness from the victim’s wife, the atmosphere was thick with grief. Meanwhile, Kawashima’s inquiries at the factory exposed strains between Misumi and his former employer regarding unpaid wages, prompting Shigemori to rethink their defense strategy, possibly pivoting the narrative towards revenge due to being wrongfully terminated.
With the case continuing to evolve, Shigemori found himself facing a moral quandary, entangled between justice and compassion. As they approached Misumi’s home again, he presented a magazine article that curiously reflected their own case—a tale of a woman who conspired to murder her husband for insurance money. The legal team speculated that Misumi was hired by the victim’s wife, only for Misumi to shockingly affirm that the wife had reached out to him two weeks before the incident, promising security should he remain silent about her involvement.
In the backdrop of their investigation, Shigemori’s father cautioned him against wasting time trying to decipher Misumi’s motivations, advising him to focus on constructing a solid legal defense. Yet, Shigemori sensed there was more at play. In search of clarity, he traveled to Rumoi, Misumi’s hometown, where memories intertwined with feelings of nostalgia emerged as he reflected on a postcard sent to his father by Misumi.
In Rumoi, encounters with the arresting officer shed light on the deeper layers of Misumi’s past crimes, questioning whether a potential coercion by his attorney had tainted the true nature of his confessions. At a local bar, inquiries about Misumi’s attempts to contact his estranged daughter Megumi led to a chilling revelation: Megumi wanted nothing to do with her father and was poised to testify against him.
Returning to Yokohama, Shigemori shared insights with Sakie, hinting at Misumi’s possible affection for her due to their shared experiences linked to Megumi’s disability. However, the discussion turned hostile when Shigemori suggested a hidden relationship between her and Misumi.
As the pivotal trial approached, Shigemori sought to delve into Misumi’s psyche, specifically regarding his alleged intentions with the wallet. Misumi agreed to deny any theft but astutely reframed the conversation, questioning the sincerity behind Shigemori’s legal tactics versus genuine beliefs in his narrative.
A profound turning point occurred when Sakie, the victim’s wife, took the stand. Her assertion that the 500,000 yen was not for greed but tied to her family’s business dealings disrupted the defense’s carefully laid groundwork. A tense confrontation with Sakie unveiled her traumatic history of abuse at the hands of her father, which she unmasked to Misumi, as Shigemori witnessed vivid dreamlike sequences connecting him with both Sakie and Misumi during the horrific act.
With the foundations of his defense collapsing, Misumi revised his story, asserting his innocence and claiming that the money was for illegal business transactions. Settsu advised him to plead guilty to evade execution, as Misumi recounted sending the stolen money to Megumi after suffering burns from a bonfire mishap. Faced with these new developments, Shigemori reluctantly accepted Misumi’s altered account.
In the final moments before the trial resumed, Shigemori confronted Sakie one last time, pleading with her not to condemn Misumi to death. Yet, when the court reconvened, Sakie expressed disbelief that Misumi killed her father for money, wanting mercy instead of retribution. Reluctantly, Misumi claimed coercion from both the prosecution and his own counsel in confessing guilt despite his protestations of innocence. The courtroom found itself on the edge of a precipice, echoing the complexities of morality and truth.
Ultimately, the judge delivered a verdict favoring the prosecution, sentencing Misumi to death. After the trial concluded, Shigemori approached Sakie once more, where she reiterated Misumi’s confounding notion that truth is subjective.
As Shigemori returned to Misumi’s modest home, he pondered over the reasons driving Misumi’s guilt—whether it was an act to shield Sakie from facing her own scars. In turn, Misumi showcased inklings of self-awareness about his existence, suggesting that even he, with his flaws, could have a positive influence on others. This conversation ignited a barrage of emotions in Shigemori, who found the scales of hope and despair precariously balanced.
As he stepped outside, pausing at an intersection, Shigemori gazed upward, encapsulated in a moment of reflection. The stillness belied the inner chaos as he grappled with the intricate nature of humanity and the fragile connections woven between them all.
Murder Discovery
At **12:30 am on October 11, 2017**, a horrifying scene was uncovered alongside the banks of the *Tama River*. The charred remains of a man lay in the shadows, marking the beginning of a dark and twisted murder investigation that would send shockwaves through the community.
First Meeting
Shigemori, a seasoned criminal defense attorney, begins his journey at the Yokohama Detention Center where he meets **Misumi**, the man accused of robbery and murder. Misumi's ominous past intertwines with Shigemori’s own family, as Shigemori’s father was previously the presiding judge in Misumi's earlier case.
Unraveling Deceptions
As they investigate, Shigemori and his assistant Kawashima uncover a maze of lies within Misumi's accounts of the murder. Misumi claims to have acted under the influence of substances to kill the former owner of a food factory in *Kawasaki*, raising immediate questions about his state of mind at the time.
Incriminating Evidence
Misumi's previous attorney, **Settsu**, provides evidence that contradicts Misumi's claims, revealing premeditation in the crime. Additionally, surveillance footage shows Misumi stealing money post-murder, forcing Shigemori to reevaluate his defense strategy and Misumi's true intentions.
Visit to Victim’s Family
During a somber visit to the victim's family, Shigemori witnesses the emotional turmoil of the victim's teenage daughter, whose limp eerily symbolizes a clue found at the crime scene. The visit draws heavy emotion, as Misumi's letter to the family opens old wounds of grief.
Factory Investigations
Kawashima’s inquiries uncover unresolved tensions between Misumi and his former employer at the food factory, hinting at potential motives of revenge tied to unpaid wages. This newfound information prompts Shigemori to consider a narrative shift in their defense.
Moral Quandary
As the investigation deepens, Shigemori grapples with a moral dilemma involving justice and compassion towards Misumi. He uncovers hints that the victim's wife may have orchestrated the murder while Misumi asserts that she promised him security in exchange for silence.
Exploring Misumi’s Past
Shigemori travels to *Rumoi*, Misumi's hometown, seeking clarity about Misumi's motivations. Encounters with an arresting officer reveal dubious aspects of Misumi's past, including allegations of coercion by his former attorney that could have influenced his confessions.
Family Strain
Conversations in Rumoi lead to a chilling discovery about Misumi's estranged daughter, **Megumi**, who is set to testify against him. This revelation adds personal turmoil to Misumi's case, reflecting the deep rifts in family dynamics due to his criminal past.
Trial Preparations
As the trial approaches, Shigemori attempts to delve deeper into Misumi’s psyche regarding the stolen wallet. Their discussions bring to light Misumi's struggles between sincerity and the manipulations of his legal defense, intensifying the emotional stakes.
Sakie's Testimony
The trial reaches a pivotal moment when **Sakie**, the victim's wife, takes the stand. Her testimony reveals unexpected ties between the victim's business dealings and the murder, challenging the defense's strategy and drawing connections to her trauma.
Confessions and Shifts
In the wake of Sakie’s words, Misumi reconfigures his story, declaring his innocence and asserting that the stolen money was related to illegal activities rather than greed. This unexpected alteration creates a ripple effect in the courtroom, complicating the defense’s position.
Verdict Delivered
The judge ultimately sides with the prosecution, sentencing Misumi to death. This verdict not only seals Misumi's fate but also echoes the bittersweet complexities of justice, leaving Shigemori and those involved questioning the nature of truth and morality.
Final Reflection
After the trial, Shigemori confronts Sakie once more, exploring Misumi's conflicting notions of guilt and truth. This reflection leads Shigemori to ponder the overarching themes of the human experience—the balance of hope and despair.
Moment of Stillness
As Shigemori exits Misumi's home, he stands at an intersection, enveloped in a moment of introspection. The stillness around him resonates with the chaos within, representing the complex ties between humanity and the emotional weight of their shared experiences.
Shigemori (Masaharu Fukuyama)
A seasoned criminal defense attorney, Shigemori is portrayed as someone deeply committed to uncovering the truth. Torn between his duty to defend Misumi and his own moral compass, he navigates the complex emotional terrain of the case. His inner conflicts reflect a deep understanding of humanity's flaws and the varying shades of guilt and innocence.
Misumi (Kôji Yakusho)
Misumi's character embodies the struggle between victimhood and guilt. With a troubled past that influences his present, he presents conflicting narratives that challenge Shigemori's defenses. His depth unveils a man trapped by circumstances, invoking sympathy and confusion from those seeking to understand his choices.
Sakie (Suzu Hirose)
As the victim's daughter, Sakie represents the emotional toll of tragedy and the long shadows cast by loss. Her poignant struggles with forgiveness and understanding her father's situation form a central thread in the narrative. Through her, the film explores themes of familial bonds and the heaviness of unspoken grief.
Settsu (Kôtarô Yoshida)
Settsu acts as Misumi's former attorney, his revelations about the case challenge the perception of premeditated crime. His contrasting view provides insight into the complexities of the situation, prompting Shigemori to reconsider their defense. Settsu embodies a practical perspective grounded in legal pragmatism.
Time period
October 11, 2017
Set against the contemporary backdrop of 2017, the film explores themes of justice and morality in a world laden with complexity. This era reflects societal tensions and the impact of past choices on current lives, revealing how history shapes individual circumstances. Throughout the investigation, characters grapple with the repercussions of their actions, questioning the nature of truth in a system where the past cannot be erased.
Location
Tama River, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Rumoi
The Tama River serves as a haunting backdrop to the film, where the initial murder scene unfolds in its shadows. Yokohama, a bustling metropolis, acts as the central hub for the legal investigation, filled with its blend of modern and traditional elements. Kawasaki introduces the victim's story, rooted in a food factory that highlights the strained connections and underlying anger from the past. Rumoi, Misumi's hometown, evokes memories and nostalgia, further revealing the character's complex history.
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Justice
The pursuit of justice looms large as the main characters navigate the intricate legal system. Shigemori, as a defense attorney, struggles to balance his professional responsibilities with personal convictions. The film raises questions about the nature of justice, exploring whether it can truly be served amid the layers of deception and emotional turmoil.
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Loss
Loss resonates throughout the narrative, both in the physical sense of the murder victim and emotional loss experienced by the characters. Each character grapples with their own scars, particularly Sakie, whose life is deeply intertwined with both grief and unresolved trauma. The ripple effects of loss challenge the characters to confront their pasts and the relationships that are forever altered.
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Truth
The theme of truth surfaces as characters manipulate and share their narratives, leading to a convoluted understanding of reality. Shigemori's legal journey forces him to confront the subjective nature of truth, especially in the context of Misumi's conflicting testimonies. This theme intricately weaves through the trial, emphasizing that the line between light and darkness is often blurred.
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