

The Balloon(1956)
Haruki Murakami is a successful family man and the head of a camera company. Unbeknownst to Murakami, his arrogant son oscillates between a mistress and a new lover who sings at a nightclub. When Murakami’s daughter befriends the mistress, the affair throws the family into turmoil.

Movie: The Balloon
Top 10 Billed Cast
Tatsujirô Aso
Yamaguchi, Photo Shop Owner
Shôta Nishimura
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