The Key


1h 35m 1997

Brief Synopsis

Set in 1956, a middle-aged professor Soichiro and his young wife, Ikuko, suffer from an unfulfilling sexual relationship. The man believes he can unlock the secrets to her passion and says so in his diary. Although he puts his diary away, he leaves the key where his young wife can find it. One of hi

Film Details

Also Known As
Kagi, Key
Genre
Drama
Release Date
1997
Production Company
Toei Company, Ltd.; Tohokushinsha Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 35m

Synopsis

Set in 1956, a middle-aged professor Soichiro and his young wife, Ikuko, suffer from an unfulfilling sexual relationship. The man believes he can unlock the secrets to her passion and says so in his diary. Although he puts his diary away, he leaves the key where his young wife can find it. One of his ideas is to invite a young photographer named Kimura over hoping that his presence will spark his wife's interest. That night, a nervous Ikuko faints after drinking too much. Soichiro escorts her to the bedroom, where, seeing his wife's naked body for the first time, makes love to her. When she cries out Kimura's name, Anzai feels at once tormented and incredibly aroused. He writes all of this down and, eventually, his wife reads his thoughts. This inspires her to create a diary of her own which he, in turn, reads. A pattern develops in their newly eroticized marriage whereby Kimura comes over, the three talk and drink until Ikuko faints; Soichiro makes love to her.

Film Details

Also Known As
Kagi, Key
Genre
Drama
Release Date
1997
Production Company
Toei Company, Ltd.; Tohokushinsha Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 35m

Quotes

Trivia

Miscellaneous Notes

Winner of Best Screenplay at the 1998 Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

Released in United States 1998

Released in United States March 1998

Released in United States October 1997

Shown at Santa Barbara International Film Festival March 5-15, 1998.

Released in United States 1998

Released in United States March 1998 (Shown at Santa Barbara International Film Festival March 5-15, 1998.)

Released in United States October 1997 (Shown at AFI/Los Angeles International Film Festival (World Cinema) October 23-30, 1997.)