Itakunai Shinikata (2021 Film)
Itakunai Shinikata (Japanese: 痛くない死に方), released internationally as Peaceful Death, is a 2021 Japanese drama film directed by Banmei Takahashi. The film explores the complexities of home-based medical care for terminally ill patients and the emotional burden placed on both families and physicians.
Plot
The story follows Jin Kawada (Tasuku Emoto), a busy doctor specializing in home medical care who struggles to balance his professional duties with his personal life. His perspective on medicine is challenged when he treats Toshio, a patient with terminal lung cancer. Toshio's daughter, Tomomi (Maki Sakai), chooses home care over hospital-based life-prolonging treatments to ensure her father's final days are comfortable. However, when Toshio dies in pain, Tomomi is left devastated and questioning her decision.
Seeking guidance, Kawada consults Dr. Kohei Nagano (Eiji Okuda), a mentor who highlights the importance of thorough diagnosis and the distinct differences between hospital and home-based care. Realizing his own shortcomings in the case, Kawada begins to refine his approach. Two years later, he applies these lessons while caring for a new terminal patient, Akira (Ryudo Uzaki), demonstrating a more profound understanding of his role as a home physician.
Production
The film is based on the novels Itakunai Shinikata and Itai Zaitakui, written by Kazuhiro Nagao and published by Bookmansha in 2016 and 2017, respectively. The screenplay was adapted by director Banmei Takahashi. The film was released in Japan on February 20, 2021, with a runtime of 112 minutes.
Cast
- Tasuku Emoto as Jin Kawada
- Maki Sakai as Tomomi Inoue
- Kimiko Yo as Haruna Nakai
- Naoko Otani as Shigure Honda
- Ryudo Uzaki as Akira Honda
- Eiji Okuda as Kohei Nagano
