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The Human Promise
The Human Promise
8.1
/10
97 Ratings

THE HUMAN PROMISE

Ningen no yakusoku | 人間の約束

Directed by Yoshishige Yoshida
Japan, 1986
Drama

Synopsis

An old woman has died and her widower with dementia confesses to killing her. After this, the story goes back in time to show the events leading up to her death.

Synopsis

An old woman has died and her widower with dementia confesses to killing her. After this, the story goes back in time to show the events leading up to her death.

Our take

A bold return to filmmaking after thirteen years away, Yoshida’s next film after Coup d’etat was this subtle yet profoundly moving contemplation on old age and coming to terms with the end of one’s life. Bearing the spiritual marks of his beloved Ozu, The Human Promise makes a virtue of frailty.