The Woman with Red Hair 1979
Tatsumi Kumashiro's 1979 drama *The Woman with Red Hair* immerses viewers in a grimy, claustrophobic world where desperation and fleeting passion collide.
Director: Tatsumi Kumashiro
Cast
Junko Miyashita
Woman with Red Hair
Renji Ishibashi
Kozo
Ако
Kazuko
Moeko Ezawa
Kozo's Sister
Noboru Mitani
Alcoholic Man
Miyako Yamaguchi
Haruko
Hatsuo Yamaya
Kozo's Sister's Lover
Kai Ato
Takao
Akira Takahashi
President
Yoko Ishido
Woman in Shabu
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Woman with Red Hair (1979) about?
This gritty drama follows a mysterious woman with red hair who hitches a ride with a rough-around-the-edges construction worker. Claiming she's fleeing an abusive marriage, their uneasy alliance soon curdles into a tempestuous, all-consuming affair set against the bleak backdrop of working-class struggle.
Who directed The Woman with Red Hair?
Tatsumi Kumashiro directed the film, known for his unflinching explorations of human desire and social disillusionment in Japanese cinema.
Who stars in The Woman with Red Hair?
The film features Junko Miyashita as the enigmatic woman, Renji Ishibashi as the construction worker, and a supporting cast including Ako, Moeko Ezawa, and Miyako Yamaguchi.
Is The Woman with Red Hair (1979) worth watching?
If you're drawn to raw, character-driven dramas that thrive on tension and moral ambiguity, *The Woman with Red Hair* delivers a compelling punch in its brief 73 minutes. Its uncompromising tone and themes make it a cult curiosity worth seeking out, especially for fans of Japanese New Wave cinema.
How long is The Woman with Red Hair?
The runtime is 73 minutes.
The Woman with Red Hair (1979): A Stark Drama of Obsession and Survival
Tatsumi Kumashiro's 1979 drama *The Woman with Red Hair* immerses viewers in a grimy, claustrophobic world where desperation and fleeting passion collide. Junko Miyashita stars as a mysterious drifter with a scarlet mane who hitches a ride with Kenzo, a hardened construction worker played by Renji Ishibashi. Their tense rapport spirals into a volatile affair as she spins a tale of escape from an abusive marriage, drawing him into a cycle of obsession that offers no real escape from their squalid surroundings. The film's raw, unflinching gaze at class struggle and erotic entanglement is underscored by its stark visuals and oppressive atmosphere, painting a portrait of two lost souls clinging to each other in a world that offers no mercy.
With its tight 73-minute runtime, the movie delivers a condensed but potent exploration of human fragility, weaving themes of survival, manipulation, and the illusion of control. The chemistry between Miyashita and Ishibashi crackles with tension, grounding the narrative in a visceral reality that lingers long after the credits roll. *The Woman with Red Hair* isn't just a tale of fleeting desire; it's a stark reminder of how quickly affection can curdle into something darker when survival is the only currency that matters.
