Caterpillar

Caterpillar is a 2010 Japanese film directed by Kōji Wakamatsu that provides a unique and haunting perspective on the repercussions of war, especially on the soldiers and their families. Starring Shinobu Terajima, Shima Ohnishi, and Ken Yoshizawa, Caterpillar pivots around the themes of prevailing social norms, power dynamics, and intricate family ties wrapped up in the tension-laden atmosphere of wartime.

The story is set in a small, provincial, traditional Japanese town during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Soldier Kyuzo Kurokawa, played by Shima Ohnishi, is an esteemed war hero in the town. A silent, enigmatic, and domineering individual, he is spirited away to the tumultuous and unforgiving frontlines of battle. He returns home severely physically scarred, having lost both legs and arms, with hearing impairment and facial burns that have reduced him to a helpless figure, likened to a 'caterpillar.'

Kyuzo's wife, Shigeko, portrayed by Shinobu Terajima, becomes the central character in the narrative as she grapples with the huge responsibility thrust upon her. Seemingly overnight, she transitioned from a dutiful wife to a caretaker for her gravely disabled husband. The paradox of Kyuzo's status as a celebrated war hero juxtaposed with his pitiful state at home is a consistent theme throughout the film.

Shigeko's character struggles with the social expectations placed upon her and the harsh reality of her daily life caring for her husband. This is particularly highlighted in the constant pressurization from the neighbourhood to treat and display Kyuzo as a local icon of bravery and sacrifice. Shigeko is caught between a rock and a hard place, wrestling internally with her mounting resentment, disgust, and pity towards Kyuzo and the need to maintain the façade of a proud and supportive wife for society. The impact of war is seen on the home front, transforming the previously quiet and docile homestead into a battleground of emotions and societal pressures.

Director Wakamatsu’s treatment of the subject is riveting in its raw emotional intensity and brutal honesty. He offers an unflinching look into the grueling and tumultuous life of women left behind to bear the consequences of war. Simultaneously, he challenges conventional narratives by presenting the soldier not as the glorified, valiant figure usually associated with war films, but as the victim of a hostile and unforgiving circumstance.

Wakamatsu’s choice of predominantly ambient sounds and an absence of a running soundtrack adds to the harsh realism of the film, serving as a stark reminder of the harshness of war and its catastrophic effects on ordinary lives. It exposes the viewers to the grim reality of war, and the challenging and horrifying aftermath families are often left to deal with.

The cinematography, primarily set within the confines of a traditional Japanese rural home, lends a claustrophobic and tense atmosphere to the narrative, effectively capturing the psychological turmoil of the characters. The quiet desperation of Shigeko's existence within the silent walls of her home is palpable on screen, effectively amplified by the poignant and heart-wrenching performance of Shinobu Terajima.

Caterpillar is thus a seminal war drama offering a counter-narrative to the glorified and often one-dimensional representation of war. Through an exploration of the complex relationship dynamics between family members and societal expectations, it brings to the fore the unsaid narratives of families ravaged by war. Maintaining a suspenseful atmosphere throughout, Caterpillar's narrative path is a chilling reminder of the grim realities of conflict, making it a thought-provoking commentary on war and its far-reaching aftermath.