Dr. Akagi, known in Japan as Kanzō-sensei (カンゾー先生, literally "Dr. Liver"), is a 1998 Japanese comedy-drama film by director Shohei Imamura.[1] For his work on the film, Yosuke Yamashita was awarded Best Film Score at the 1999 Mainichi Film Concours.[2][3][4]
Plot
The film concerns Dr. Akagi, a doctor on an island in the Seto Inland Sea area during World War II. He runs into conflict with the military while trying to combat a hepatitis epidemic. Akagi earns the nickname "Dr. Liver" (カンゾー先生 Kanzō-sensei) because of his work, though the townsfolk use it as a humorous dig at his persistent diagnosis. Though the broad circumstance of Japan slowly losing the war is the setting, many of the interactions and situations tilt into humor; for instance, the very music used for the doctor running from patient to patient has an upbeat and light-hearted tone.[1]