The Sentimental Idiot

『人情馬鹿』 
Ninjo Baka

New Remaster. Performing to a nightly assemblage of male suitors, cabaret singer Yuri (Rieko Sumi) catches the eye of motorbike salesman Yoshio, who becomes helplessly enraptured with the hard-to-get songbird. Desperate to win her favor, Yoshio swindles his own clients to support Yuri’s glamorous lifestyle—and finds himself arrested for embezzlement. Veering off-course from its initial setup of cautionary siren song, Shimizu’s first Daiei production transforms midway through into a moral drama of selfless sacrifice as the chanteuse finds herself moved by the pleas of Yoshio’s mother. Taking it as penitence for a selfish life, Yuri attempts to make amends with Tsugawa’s victims in a bid to save him from being charged—not for his sake, but out of her own desire to do good. Featuring an early musical performance by Peggy Hayama.

Dir. Hiroshi Shimizu, 1956, 71 min., DCP, b&w, in English with Japanese subtitles. With Rieko Sumi, Kenji Sugawara, Hisako Takihana. Based on a novel by Matsutaro Kawaguchi.

Part of the John and Miyoko Davey Classic Film Series
Hiroshi Shimizu – Part II: The Postwar and Independent Years
May 16—June 1, 2024

© KADOKAWA 1956

Hiroshi Shimizu is co-presented with Museum of the Moving Image, the National Film Archive of Japan, and Japan Foundation, New York.

Hiroshi Shimizu – Part II: The Independent and Postwar Years is generously supported by The John and Miyoko Davey Endowment Fund for Classic Japanese Film.

Japan Society programs are made possible by leadership support from Booth Ferris Foundation, and 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, 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 and Friends of Film. Transportation assistance is provided by Japan Airlines, the official Japanese airline sponsor of Japan Society Film. Housing assistance is provided by the Kitano Hotel, the official hotel sponsor of Japan Society Film.