
Black Rain
dir. Shōhei Imamura
65
6 sourcesSynopsis
Shigematsu Shizuma, who lives with his family in a village near Fukuyama, was in Hiroshima with his wife and niece just after the devastating atomic bombing, a tragedy that cruelly took the lives of thousands of people and forever marked the harsh existence of the survivors.
Critics consensus
Black Rain has its fair share of Ridley Scott's directorial flair, but its paint-by-numbers story never rises above genre conventions.
What resonated with audiences
'Black Rain' delivers a haunting, emotionally powerful examination of Hiroshima's aftermath through stunning black and white cinematography and balanced social commentary. The film excels at portraying survivors' ongoing trauma and societal discrimination without assigning blame, creating deeply thought-provoking anti-war cinema. While most praise its dramatic depth and sympathetic characters, some find certain character portrayals lacking complexity. The stark visuals and ominous tone effectively convey radiation's lingering shadow over survivors' lives.

Directed byShōhei Imamura
StarringYoshiko Tanaka, Kazuo Kitamura, Etsuko Ichihara, Masato Yamada, Shoichi Ozawa, Norihei Miki
Written byShōhei Imamura, Toshirō Ishidō
CinematographyTakashi Kawamata
EditingHajime Okayasu
MusicToru Takemitsu
Black Rain
1989 · R · 2h 3m
Drama, History
Shigematsu Shizuma, who lives with his family in a village near Fukuyama, was in Hiroshima with his wife and niece just after the devastating atomic bombing, a tragedy that cruelly took the lives of thousands of people and forever marked the harsh existence of the survivors.
Our Verdict
65
'Black Rain' delivers a haunting, emotionally powerful examination of Hiroshima's aftermath through stunning black and white cinematography and balanced social commentary. The film excels at portraying survivors' ongoing trauma and societal discrimination without assigning blame, creating deeply thought-provoking anti-war cinema. While most praise its dramatic depth and sympathetic characters, some find certain character portrayals lacking complexity. The stark visuals and ominous tone effectively convey radiation's lingering shadow over survivors' lives.
Critics Consensus
Black Rain has its fair share of Ridley Scott's directorial flair, but its paint-by-numbers story never rises above genre conventions.
