I Am Waiting (1957)

 Koreyoshi Kurahara's "I Am Waiting"


One of Koreyoshi Kurahara's earliest success as a filmmaker was his 1957 film "I Am Waiting." In order to compete with American and French films at the Japanese box office, "I Am Waiting" was stylized after the popular American noir. American noir had started to die down at this point in favor of epic color films, but the style was still hanging around and attracting audiences, so Japanese filmmakers felt they needed to compete. "I Am Waiting" is a reunion of its two main stars, Yujiro Ishiara and Mie Kitahara. Both starred previously in 1956's "Crazed Fruit," a seminal work in the Sun Tribe genre.

"I Am Waiting" centers on a former boxer, Joji, and a nightclub singer, Saeko, as they attempt to run away from their dark past. Joji is running away from accidentally beating someone to death in a club. In doing so, we awaits the return of his brother who recently voyaged to Brazil. Saeko is attempting to escape the gangster who 'own' her contractually. After discovering a horrible revelation, the two must face a grim circumstance.

Going into the film, I wasn't really in the mood. However, it completely won me over in every way. Even though it was a aesthetic replica of a noir piece, it still managed to subvert the genre in various ways. Its characters also managed to keep me interested, as both their past and their connection to one another creates an engagement and attachment to them and their continued well-being. I don't believe that the film holds a great deal of thematic depth, but it does make for an interesting and entertaining picture. I suppose if there anything to pull from this impressive Japanese noir, it is the tragic nature of life and how circumstances entrap you in situations that are beyond your control. I very much loved "I Am Waiting."




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