Film archive, 1983

The Catch

魚影の群れ

Director Somai Shinji

1Festival entries

★Avg. rating

A significant drama set on the Shimokita Peninsula portraying the three-way love-hate relationship between a lifelong tuna fisherman, his daughter, and her boyfriend who aspires to be a fisherman. The viewer will be overwhelmed by the extended takes capturing the taut tension tuna fishing's majesty.

Stills5

The Catch 1 — ©1983/2026 SHOCHIKU Co., Ltd.

The Catch 2 — ©1983/2026 SHOCHIKU Co., Ltd.

The Catch 3 — ©1983/2026 SHOCHIKU Co., Ltd.

The Catch 4 — ©1983/2026 SHOCHIKU Co., Ltd.

The Catch 5 — ©1983/2026 SHOCHIKU Co., Ltd.

Film details

Director: Somai Shinji
Country/Region: Japan
Year: 1983
Length: 141min
Original language: Japanese
Elsewhere: Letterboxd IMDb Wikidata TMDB Douban

Director

Somai Shinji

After dropping out of Chuo University, Somai joined Nikkatsu Studio as a contract AD. He established a fresh visual style in Sailor Suit and Machine Gun (1981), The Catch (1983), and Typhoon Club (Tokyo International Film Festival Young Cinema Grand Prix 1985).

From Tokyo International Film Festival 2026, No. 39

Credits

Director: Somai Shinji
Original work: Yoshimura Akira
Screenplay: Tanaka Yozo
Cinematography: Naganuma Mutsuo
Lighting: Kumagai Hideo
Sound: Nobuoka Makoto
Cast: Ogata Ken, Natsume Masako, Koichi SATO, Toake Yukiyo
Distributor in Japan: Shochiku Co., Ltd.

Festival appearances1

Choose a festival entry to see its screenings, articles and audience reviews.

The CatchTokyo International Film Festival 2026, No. 39Japanese Classics

Festival history1

东京国际电影节, 2026Japanese Classics, Official selection

Film posters

Poster language