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Drama

The Insect Woman (1963): Cast

The Insect Woman (1963) movie poster

The Insect Woman is a 1963 drama directed by Shôhei Imamura, starring Sachiko Hidari as Tome Matsuki, Taiji Tonoyama and Tanie Kitabayashi. It runs 2 hours 3 minutes.

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The Insect Woman (1963) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 3m (123 min)
Director
Shôhei Imamura
Genre
Drama
Original language
Japanese
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Insect Woman About?

The premise of The Insect Woman without spoilers.

She acts on instinct, lacking a clear sense of right or wrong. Born into a lower‑class Japanese family in 1918, Tome’s life is framed by the metaphor of an insect that repeats its errors in an endless loop. Imamura uses this image to trace Tome’s relentless attempts to escape her poverty.

The Insect Woman Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • bastard
  • incestuous relationship
  • sucking breast
  • work
  • weaving
  • forced sex
  • sexual harassment
  • imperial japan
  • world war two
  • farmer
  • maid
  • domestic worker
+38 more
  • nanny
  • cross cultural marriage
  • interracial marriage
  • religion
  • plastic surgery
  • mistress
  • madam
  • woman hits a woman
  • statue
  • loss of father
  • demonstration
  • older man younger woman relationship
  • sugar daddy
  • denture
  • countryside
  • city
  • getting old
  • giving birth
  • year 1918
  • year 1942
  • year 1960
  • co written by director
  • year 1961
  • 20th century
  • woman
  • poverty
  • japan
  • 1910s
  • brothel
  • starvation
  • pregnancy
  • family relationships
  • 1960s
  • 1950s
  • 1940s
  • 1930s
  • 1920s
  • adultery
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Cast & crew

The Insect Woman Cast & Characters

Sachiko Hidari leads the cast as Tome Matsuki, with Taiji Tonoyama as Foreman and Tanie Kitabayashi as Madam. Directed by Shôhei Imamura; 18 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Shôhei Imamura

More films directed by Shôhei Imamura: Dr. Akagi, Zegen, The Ballad of Narayama and Why Not?.

Full filmography
Details

The Insect Woman Also Known As

19 alternative titles, including “Nippon konchuki” and “Nippon konchûki”.

Also known as
  • Nippon konchuki
  • Nippon konchûki
  • De insectenvrouw
  • A Mulher Inseto ou Tratado Entomológico do Japão
  • La mujer insecto
  • La Femme insecte
  • Rovarasszony
  • Cronache entomologiche del Giappone
  • La donna insetto - Cronaca entomologica del Giappone
  • Kobieta owad
  • A Mulher Insecto
  • Женщина-насекомое
+7 more
  • Záznam o japonském hmyzu
  • 日本昆虫记
  • Das Insektenweib
  • A Mulher Inseto
  • 일본곤충기
  • にっぽん昆虫記
  • 日本昆蟲記

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FAQ

The Insect Woman FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, post-credit scenes and language of The Insect Woman, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Insect Woman?

The Insect Woman runs 2 hours 3 minutes (123 minutes).

When was The Insect Woman released?

The Insect Woman was released on November 16, 1963.

Who directed The Insect Woman?

The Insect Woman was directed by Shôhei Imamura.

More films by Shôhei Imamura

Who is in the cast of The Insect Woman?

The Insect Woman stars Sachiko Hidari as Tome Matsuki, Taiji Tonoyama as Foreman and Tanie Kitabayashi as Madam, among 18 credited actors.

Does The Insect Woman have a post-credit scene?

No. The Insect Woman has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is The Insect Woman in?

The original language of The Insect Woman is Japanese.

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