Sincerity

『まごころ』 
Magokoro

Imported 35mm Print. A wartime shoshimin eiga (common people drama), Sincerity begins simple enough with the issuance of report cards from a rural school. Classmates Nobuko and Tomiko’s placements have inverted, as the former’s top marks drop while the latter rises to top of her class. This sudden change instigates an even greater drama when Nobuko’s mother quarrels with her father, revealing a romantic past with Tsuta, Tomiko’s single mother. Overhearing the conversation, Nobuko shares the secret with Tomiko. Capturing the lyrical beauty of sunlit pastorals, Sincerity leaves the adult drama on the periphery as Naruse pivots to the children’s reactions, evoking their perceptions of the crisis which follows.

Print courtesy of the National Film Archive of Japan.

Dir. Mikio Naruse, 1939, 67 min., 35mm, b&w, in Japanese with live English subtitles. With Etchan, Teruko Kato, Takako Irie, Sachiko Murase, Minoru Takada.

Part of the John and Miyoko Davey Classic Film Series
Mikio Naruse: The World Betrays Us – Part I
May 9—31, 2025

© Collection of NFAJ

Mikio Naruse: The World Betrays Us is co-presented with Metrograph and The Japan Foundation, New York.

Special Thanks to Mako Fukata; Akinaru Rokkaku & Shun Inoue (Japan Foundation, New York); Brian Belovarac (Janus Films); Miki Zeze (Kadokawa); Rikako Kosugiyama (National Film Archive of Japan); Tony Stella; Shion Komatsu & Go Onishi (Toho Co. Ltd.).

Mikio Naruse: The World Betrays Us – Part I is generously supported by The John and Miyoko Davey Endowment Fund for Classic Japanese Film.

Japan Society’s 120th anniversary initiatives and related programs are generously supported by Champion Sponsor, MUFG Bank, Ltd.; Advocate Sponsor, Mizuho Americas; and Friend Sponsor, Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas).

Japan Society programs are supported by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

Film programs are generously supported by ORIX Corporation USA, public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, Anime NYC and Yen Press. Endowment support is provided by the Lila Wallace-Reader’s Digest Endowment Fund and The John and Miyoko Davey Endowment Fund. Additional season support is provided by The Globus Family, George P. Hirose, David Toberisky, Joseph Rajaratnam and Dharshini Iolanthe Sivakumaran, and Film Circle members.

Transportation assistance is provided by Japan Airlines, the official Japanese airline sponsor of Japan Society Film Program. Housing assistance is provided by the Prince Kitano New York, the official hotel sponsor of Japan Society Film Program.