Kiri no hi 2008
Set against the final days of World War II in August 1945, *Kiri no hi (2008)* plunges viewers into the haunting final months of Japanese control over Maoka City—a remote coastal outpost now known as Kholmsk, Sakhalin.
Director: Nozomu Amemiya
Cast








Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kiri no hi (2008) about?
*Kiri no hi* tells the harrowing final days of Maoka City in 1945, where nine young telephone operators confront the brutal advance of Soviet forces during the closing stages of the Pacific War. Trapped between loyalty, fear, and dwindling hope, their story becomes a quiet yet powerful testament to sacrifice and survival in the face of inevitable collapse.
Who directed Kiri no hi?
Nozomu Amemiya directed *Kiri no hi*, bringing a restrained yet deeply emotional approach to this historical war drama.
Who stars in Kiri no hi?
The film features a standout ensemble led by Etsuko Ichihara and Karina, alongside Mitsuko Kusabue, Mayuko Fukuda, Miho Shiraishi, and Yui Ichikawa in key roles.
Is Kiri no hi (2008) worth watching?
As a war drama rooted in a true but often overlooked tragedy, *Kiri no hi* offers a perspective that's as thought-provoking as it is emotionally resonant. Its focus on female resilience and understated storytelling may not satisfy those seeking action, but it rewards viewers with quiet power and historical depth.
How long is Kiri no hi?
The film runs for 120 minutes, offering a concentrated, immersive viewing experience.
About Kiri no hi (2008) — The tragic true story of nine women in the final days of WWII
Set against the final days of World War II in August 1945, *Kiri no hi (2008)* plunges viewers into the haunting final months of Japanese control over Maoka City—a remote coastal outpost now known as Kholmsk, Sakhalin. Directed by Nozomu Amemiya and based on a screenplay by Yō Takeyama, this war drama zeroes in on nine young telephone operators whose fates collide with history when the Soviet Union invades their already besieged city. As the mist-laden landscape of Karafuto becomes a stage for despair and defiance, the film transforms a lesser-known wartime tragedy into a quietly devastating meditation on sacrifice, female solidarity, and the collapse of hope under the weight of global conflict.
With its stark black-and-white visual palette and subdued emotional intensity, *Kiri no hi* lingers in the memory long after the credits roll. The story unfolds with documentary-like precision yet carries the emotional heft of classical tragedy, anchored by a cast including Etsuko Ichihara and rising star Karina in pivotal roles. Amemiya crafts a narrative that's both intimate and epic, stripping away grand heroism to expose the raw, unspoken courage of ordinary women facing an unstoppable tide of war—where silence speaks louder than words and every decision feels like a final prayer in the fog.