The End of Summer (1961)

In the twilight of his years, Manbei Kohayagawa, a widower and patriarch of a humble family-run sake brewery in Kyoto, finds himself grappling with both personal and professional dilemmas. His business, struggling to compete with larger, more established sake companies, teeters on the edge of financial ruin. Meanwhile, his three daughters, each navigating their unique life paths, remain a constant concern for their father. The eldest, Fumiko, is married to Hisao, a steadfast employee of the family business. Akiko, the widowed middle child, leads an independent life in Osaka, finding solace in her work at an art gallery and raising her young son, Minoru. The youngest, Noriko, is a single office clerk, harboring a secret romance with Tadashi Teramoto, a teacher who has recently relocated to Sapporo for work. Intent on securing his daughters' futures amidst the brewery's declining fortunes, Kohayagawa, with the help of his brother-in-law, Yanosuke Kitagawa, embarks on a quest to find suitable husbands for Akiko and Noriko. Though they are aware of their father's intentions, neither daughter is certain that marriage is what they truly desire. Amidst this familial turmoil, Kohayagawa reconnects with a figure from his past, his former mistress, Sasaki Tsune. Their unexpected reunion after nineteen years gives rise to a startling revelation - the existence of a possible biological daughter, the spoilt Yuriko Tsune. However, whether this is true or merely a scheme to exploit Kohayagawa's vulnerability remains uncertain. The Kohayagawa family, unaware of Sasaki's current presence in their father's life but suspecting his extramarital exploits, find themselves increasingly concerned about his health and financial stability. A sudden turn of events involving Kohayagawa forces Akiko and Noriko to make decisive choices about their own destinies. "The End of Summer" is a poignant exploration of love, duty, and the complexities of familial relationships, set against the backdrop of a traditional Japanese society in transition.

The End of Summer is a drama movie featuring Ganjiro Nakamura.

The End of Summer is currently streaming on Criterion Channel, Kanopy and Max Amazon Channel.