Chronicle of My Mother 2012
Academy Award-winning Japanese auteur Masato Harada crafts a poignant meditation on family, memory and redemption in the sweeping family drama Chronicle of My Mother (2012).
Director: Masato Harada
Cast
Koji Yakusho
Kosaku
Kirin Kiki
Yae
Aoi Miyazaki
Kotoko
Kaho Minami
Kuwako
Midoriko Kimura
Shigako
Mimura
Ikuko
Akiko Kikuchi
Noriko
Takahiro Miura
Segawa
Erina Mano
Sadayo
Rentaro Mikuni
Hayato
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chronicle of My Mother (2012) about?
Chronicle of My Mother follows a successful but emotionally detached novelist whose career was built on his family's private struggles. When his mother is diagnosed with dementia, he's forced to confront the damage he's caused and confront the unresolved tensions within his fractured family.
Who directed Chronicle of My Mother?
Chronicle of My Mother was directed by Masato Harada, the acclaimed Japanese filmmaker known for his intimate, character-driven dramas.
Who stars in Chronicle of My Mother?
The film stars Koji Yakusho as the novelist, alongside Kirin Kiki as his mother, Aoi Miyazaki, Kaho Minami, and Midoriko Kimura in key supporting roles.
Is Chronicle of My Mother (2012) worth watching?
Chronicle of My Mother stands out as a beautifully crafted drama that blends emotional depth with visual elegance, making it a compelling watch for fans of introspective family stories. Its themes of memory and reconciliation resonate strongly, even if its pacing may feel deliberate to some viewers.
How long is Chronicle of My Mother?
Chronicle of My Mother runs for 119 minutes.
🎥 Trailer
About Chronicle of My Mother (2012) — A haunting family drama of love, memory and redemption
Academy Award-winning Japanese auteur Masato Harada crafts a poignant meditation on family, memory and redemption in the sweeping family drama Chronicle of My Mother (2012). The film follows celebrated novelist Kosaku Igami, whose literary fame was built on the intimate struggles of his loved ones, leaving his family emotionally scarred and drifting apart. When his fiercely independent mother receives a dementia diagnosis, Igami is forced to confront the painful consequences of his past actions while navigating his own buried resentments. Drawing inspiration from the delicate precision of Yasujirō Ozu, Harada weaves a gorgeously observed tapestry of familial love, loss and the struggle for reconciliation.
Set against the quiet melancholy of everyday life, Chronicle of My Mother unfolds as a deeply human story where laughter and tears coexist. The film's luminous cinematography and emotionally layered performances—particularly from Koji Yakusho as the guilt-ridden son—elevate it into a moving exploration of how we honor those we love before it's too late.
