Half a Confession

Half a Confession

Japanese Title: Han-ochi
Release Year in Japan: 2004
Release Year in the U.S.: n/a

Director: Kiyoshi Sasabe
Casts: Akira Terao (Soichiro Kaji), Kyohei Shibata (Kazumasa Shiki), Mieko Harada (Keiko Shiki), Hidetaka Yoshioka (Keigo Fujibayashi)

Former police officer Kaji killed his wife with Altzheimer desease and reported himself to the police, but he never tells the truth about where he spent two days between those incidents. Those around him, originally starting with their own agenda, eventually become sympathetic to him and the truth eventually is revealed. The story evolved around the social issues such as "death with dignity", "aged care" and "bone marrow donation", and some critics say too many issues are pushed into the story. It certainly is heavy-themed and the tone is rather dark, but I was impressed by Terao's quiet and bittersweet expression of his own forms of love to his wife, his late son and the unknown people he wants to share his life.

The winner of 2004 Japanese Academy Award "Best Picture" and "Best Actor" categories.