Ballad of the Cart 1959 Spanning decades of radically changing times, this compelling epic drama closes on a touching note as a soldier returns at the end of the Second World War Very much centre of the saga is Seki, characterised with a tremendous emotionally charged performance from Yuko Mochizuki From humble beginnings to hardworking, cart pulling, wife and loving mother, her admirable strength of character is challenged often over the years Constrained in a rigid social order Seki however maintains her dignity amp continues to build amp progress herself amp family forward Independent and socially conscious, director Satsuo Yamamoto passionately adapted from author amp political activist Tomoe Yamashiro Niguruma no uta was written by her in 1955, active in agrarianism the author was an advocate on behalf of women and peasant farmers in rural communities, an opening introductiondedication reads This film was created by the hands of 3,200,000 farm women When all human beings acknowledge each other as human let the precious joy that results be universal When this joy lives forever in the hearts of women and is handed down to daughters who become mothers then tomorrow will not just repeat today but be a new beginning With these thoughts in our hearts we made this film Highly Recommended