That Night’s Wife

「その夜の妻」
Sono Yo No Tsuma

35mm Presentation; Live piano accompaniment by Makia Matsumura. With all the hallmarks of an American crime drama, it comes as no surprise that Ozu’s penumbral silent, set over the course of a single night, is Hasumi’s favorite, effusively so, for its “very Hollywoodian” properties. With the simple premise of an honest yet desperate father committing armed robbery in order to treat his ailing daughter, the film retreats then to his movie poster-strewn apartment, where his bedridden child and wife count down the hours for the relief of daybreak, only to be interrupted by a policeman. This affecting drama involves the dynamics of clothing, a “sartorial story” as Hasumi puts it, hitting a notable juncture when the husband’s fedora is placed on his wife by the detective. In a moment of fantastical speculation, Hasumi remarks perhaps Godard had watched this Ozu film, for its match to Breathless’ Jean Seberg outfitted in Belmondo’s fedora.

Dir. Yasujiro Ozu, 1930, 66 min., 35mm, b&w. With Mitsuko Ichimura, Tokihiko Okada, Chishu Ryu. 

Part of Shiguéhiko Hasumi: Another History of the Movie in America and Japan
Oct 9—18, 2025

© 1938 Shochiku Co., Ltd.

Film programs are generously supported by Anime NYC, ORIX Corporation USA, 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 Jono Abrams and Elizabeth Linn, Ayumi Arafune, Darin Arita and Kanako Arita, Mike Audet, Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Catanzaro, The Globus Family, George P. Hirose, Akiko Koide and Shohei Koide, David Toberisky, Joseph Rajaratnam and Dharshini Iolanthe Sivakumaran, Japan Society Film Council, and other Film supporters.

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.

Japan Society arts and culture 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, and in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

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).