There Was a Father (1942)

A tale woven around the bond between a father and son, Horikawa and Ryohei, "There Was a Father" narrates a poignant story of love, loss, and sacrifice. The film begins with Horikawa, a devoted widower and teacher, cherishing his life in Tokyo with his young son, Ryohei. However, a sudden tragedy triggers a drastic change in their lives, leading Horikawa to resign from his profession and relocate to the quaint town of Ueno with his son. Ryohei, now a junior high boarder, grapples with the sorrow of parting from his father as Horikawa returns to Tokyo for work, marking a complete separation. The narrative leapfrogs over a decade, revealing Ryohei as a college graduate and a teacher in Akita, thanks to his father's unyielding support. As the prospect of living together surfaces, Horikawa's deeply ingrained values of duty and industriousness prevent him from accepting it. The duo manages to carve out a ten-day vacation together, a brief respite in their lives of distance. But the undercurrent of heartache is ever-present, subtly surfacing and cloaked by their dignified silence. "There Was a Father" is a quietly stirring film that explores the depths of familial love and the sacrifices it often demands.

There Was a Father is a drama movie featuring Chishū Ryū and directed by Yasujirō Ozu.

There Was a Father is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Plex and Plex Player and it's also available on Criterion Channel.