This sequel to the powerful "Barefoot Gen" picks up about 3 years after the events recounted in the first movie. In that film, young Gen and his mother survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in WWII, but lost the rest of their family in the process, and were forced to endure the horrific after-effects of one of mankind's most shameful atrocities. Despite pulling no punches, and detailing the horrors of the bombing in painful detail, the film ended on a positive note, with Gen gaining an honorary little brother, and looking forward to the future with at least a tad of hope.
In the sequel, an older Gen and his feisty sidekick struggle to keep afloat in the lean years after the war. His mother is suffering from radiation poisoning, food and medicine are hard to come by, American troops are strolling around and resented by many, and gangs of orphans roam the streets and shelter in the ruins of buildings. Gen ends up becoming involved with one of the street groups, and the film charts his joys and sorrows.
While it doesn't hit the emotional heights of the first film, this is much better than I was expecting, and is definitely worth a look. The pair make for a fine double-feature.
In the sequel, an older Gen and his feisty sidekick struggle to keep afloat in the lean years after the war. His mother is suffering from radiation poisoning, food and medicine are hard to come by, American troops are strolling around and resented by many, and gangs of orphans roam the streets and shelter in the ruins of buildings. Gen ends up becoming involved with one of the street groups, and the film charts his joys and sorrows.
While it doesn't hit the emotional heights of the first film, this is much better than I was expecting, and is definitely worth a look. The pair make for a fine double-feature.