Yaeko's Hum (2017 Film)

Yaeko's Hum (Japanese: 八重子のハミング, Romaji: Yaeko no Hamingu) is a 2017 Japanese drama film directed by Kiyoshi Sasabe. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Nobutaka Minami, which was published by Shogakukan on June 7, 2005. The production explores themes of caregiving, family resilience, and the challenges posed by chronic illness.

Promotional image for the film Yaeko's Hum — Promotional visual for the film Yaeko's Hum.

Plot

The narrative centers on the relationship between Seigo Ishizaki and his wife, Yaeko. Initially, Yaeko provides dedicated care for Seigo as he battles stomach cancer, undergoing four surgeries to survive. The family dynamic shifts significantly when Yaeko is subsequently diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. As her condition progresses, the family faces the emotional and physical challenges of caregiving, while striving to cherish their remaining time together.

Cast

The film features an ensemble cast portraying the Ishizaki family and their associates:

Takeshi Masu as Seigo Ishizaki
Yoko Takahashi as Yaeko Ishizaki
Tomio Umezawa as Sadayuki Enoki
Ayane Nagabuchi as Chizuko Ishizaki
Yuichi Nakamura as Eiji Ishizaki
Keita Ninomiya as Seiichiro Ishizaki
Megumi Abe as Yuriko Ishizaki
Ibuki Tsuji as Masaki Komori
Mayumi Asaka as Sayoko Aoki
Hitomi Tsukikage as Saki Mizumoto
Jun Inoue as Masayoshi Nakamura

Production

The film was directed by Kiyoshi Sasabe, who also served as a producer and co-writer. The cinematography was handled by Shin Hayasaka. It was released in Japan on May 6, 2017, with a total runtime of 112 minutes, and distributed by ARK Entertainment.