Japan, 1955, 106 mins. DIRECTOR: Kinyuo Tanaka WITH: Yumeji Tsukioka, Ryôji Hayama, Junkichi Orimoto Inspired by the life of tanka poet Fumiko Nakajō, this emotionally resonant drama follows a woman confronting the dual challenges of artistic expression and terminal illness in post-war Japan. As she navigates the breakdown of her marriage and the trauma of a cancer diagnosis, her poetry becomes both a form of resistance and self-discovery. Directed by pioneering actress-filmmaker Kinuyo Tanaka, the film offers a striking portrait of female resilience and creative autonomy. With lyrical cinematography and a quietly radical perspective, it remains a bold testament to women’s inner lives and artistic voice at a time when such narratives were rarely given space on screen. The Cambridge Film Festival is presented by the Cambridge Film Trust, a registered charity with a mission to foster film culture and education for the benefit of the public, in Cambridge, the Eastern region, and throughout the UK.