"This Is Noriko (Noriko wa ima)" film screening at The Japan Foundation, 5A Ring Road, Lajpat Nagar IV > 2pm to 3:57pm on 4th October 2014

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Time : 2:00 pm - 3:57 pm Add to Calendar 04-10-2014 14:00:00 04-10-2014 15:57:00 68 "This Is Noriko (Noriko wa ima)" film screening Event Page : http://goo.gl/hLwyMe The Japan Foundation, 5A Ring Road, Lajpat Nagar IV, New Delhi - 110024 DD/MM/YYYY

Entry : Free (Seating on First-Come First-Served Basis)

Venue : The Japan Foundation, 5A Ring Road, Lajpat Nagar IV, New Delhi - 110024

Venue Info : About | Map | Events | Nearest Metro Station - 'Moolchand(Violet Line)'

Event Description : "This Is Noriko (Noriko wa ima)" film screening. 

I was born to bring tragedy to my parents,” says Noriko, a young thalidomide girl, telling her high school classmates about herself. “The birth of a crippled child shocked my parents so much that my father deserted us." Despite her handicap, Noriko is a bright student. Her mother has raised her alone. "I was five when I first realized that a human being has two arms. 'How convenient!' I thought. I've never regretted that I don't have arms, but I often feel embarrassed." 

Her first hardship came when she started school. She was refused admittance by grade schools because of her handicap. Her mother wept bitterly. "But that was the last time we cried," Noriko recalls. "We learned that tears don't help." Fortunately a schoolmaster accepted her, saying that although handicapped she was qualified to study in class. 

Noriko has two feet — her mother calls them "million dollar feet" — that can do almost anything 
hands can do — write, type, sew, wash, clean, cook, use chopsticks and brushes, play instruments, whatever. "I want to get a permanent job as I leave school, " she says. "I have no special ambition. All I’m concerned about is how to live tomorrow and how to release her from her toil." 

Once, she wanted to go to a university and become a graphic designer. But Noriko realizes her mother is getting old and she cannot depend on her much longer. She must go into the world alone and live among other people whose help she will need for the rest of her life. Noriko passes the difficult employment examination to work at the Kumamoto Municipal Office. She is Japan's first thalidomide civil service worker. She proves her ability as an office clerk is no less than that of any ordinary employee. 

One day Noriko falls down in a crowded bus. She cannot get to her feet by herself. A passenger helps her up. That night she tells her mother of her plan to travel to Hiroshima alone. The trip will force her to expose her handicap to strangers in order to get their help. It is her challenge to the world. Thus she visits her pen pal, a crippled girl in Hiroshima. But when she arrives, Noriko discovers the unfortunate girl is dead: Her pen friend was in love. When her beau left Hiroshima, she killed herself. Her brother regrets that he had doted on her too much. As a result she had been spoiled, and her fragile heart could not bear hardship. "Don't kill yourself no matter what hardship my befall you' he tells her.

Director : Zenzô Matsuyama

Year : 1982

Cast & Crew : Kan Mikami, Misako Watanabe  etc.

Related Events : Movies