Enrai (Japanese: 遠雷) or Distant Thunder is a 1981 Japanese film adaptation of Wahei Tatematsu's novel of the same name, directed by Kichitaro Negishi.
Contents
Synopsis
Enrai is a low-key study of a farmer, Mitsuo Wada, in 1980s Japan when modernization and urbanization were threatening rural areas. After his father leaves his wife to run off with his mistress, Mitsuo struggles to preserve his livelihood with the help of his mother, grandmother, and his arranged marriage bride, Ayako.
Cast
Toshiyuki Nagashima as Mitsuo Wada
Johnny Ohkura (ジョニー大倉) as Hirotsugu Nakamori
Eri Ishida as Ayako Hanamori
Rie Yokoyama (横山リエ) as Kaede
Casey Takamine (ケーシー高峰) as Mitsuo's father
Reiko Nanao (七尾伶子) as Mitsuo's mother
Sen Hara (原泉) as Mitsuo's grandmother
Yumiko Fujita as Chii
Keizō Kanie as Kaede's husband
Background
Enrai is based on the 1980 novel of the same name by Wahei Tatematsu. The film, financed by ATG, Nikkatsu, and the smaller Nikkatsu-related company New Century Producers, marked director Negishi's breakthrough into mainstream film after several Roman porno features for Nikkatsu. Enrai was released in Japan as a VHS tape by Pioneer LDC (パイオニアLDC) in July 1998 and subsequently as a DVD in February 2008 by Geneon Entertainment (ジェネオン エンタテインメント).
Awards and nominations
3rd Yokohama Film Festival
Won: Best Director - Kichitaro Negishi
Won: Best Screenplay - Haruhiko Arai
Won: Best Cinematography - Shohei Ando
Won: Best Actor - Toshiyuki Nagashima
6th Hochi Film Awards
Won: Best Film
Won: Best Actor - Toshiyuki Nagashima
Won: New Face Award - Eri Ishida