I Live in Fear is a 1955 Japanese drama film directed by Akira Kurosawa. The film follows Kiichi Nakajima, an elderly foundry owner who becomes obsessed with the idea of a nuclear war and wants to move his family to Brazil, which he believes will be safe from the impending danger. However, his family disagrees with him and thinks that he is acting irrationally. They decide to have him declared mentally incompetent to take control of his estate and send him to a psychiatric hospital.
Dr. Harada, who is appointed as the Domestic Court counselor to help resolve the family's dispute, discovers that Nakajima is not mentally ill but is genuinely concerned about the future of his family. Harada becomes sympathetic to Nakajima's plight and tries to persuade his family to see things from his perspective. However, they refuse to listen and continue their efforts to have him institutionalized.
The film explores themes of personal responsibility, family values, and the impact of the atomic bomb on Japanese society. It provides a critical commentary on the social prejudices and legal system of Japan in the aftermath of World War II. The nuances of interpersonal dynamics and cultural sensibilities are masterfully depicted by Kurosawa's direction and Takashi Shimura's performance as Nakajima is praiseworthy.
