This film follows the lives of the people who live in a slum, built in a garbage dump. A mentally disabled boy is obsessed with streetcars, driving an imaginary streetcar around, chanting "Dodes'ka-den! Dodes'ka-den!"--Mimicking the sound of the wheels. Some of the neighbors are a young woman living with her lecherous uncle; a pair of friends who get drunk and swap wives; a possibly mentally ill beggar and his son who live in a deserted car; and a man with five children who knows he is not the father of any, but treats them as if they were his own. Although they may dream of better times, these people are trapped--both physically and psychologically--doomed to live a life of disappointment (or worse), but many find ways to carry on.

Japanese collection. Gensaku [Based on the novel by] Yamamoto Shūgorō. Originally produced as a Japanese motion picture in 1970. Special features: Akira Kurosawa: it is wonderful to create [featurette] (36 min.); Trailer (4 min.); booklet includes the essay "True Colors" by Stephen Prince and the interview "A Conversation with Teruyo Nogami," translated by Juliet Winters Carpenter.

Opening credits -- Rokuchan -- Trolley run to Tanba's -- Red, yellow, and Shima -- Sawagamis -- Katsuko and her uncle -- Building a dream house -- Tale of Hei -- Swapping mates -- Beggar's banquet -- "The money is over here" -- "Dodes'ka-den" -- Ocho's return -- Rainy-day visions -- "Eating for two" -- Tricks of the trade -- Angels and demons -- Ryo's children -- Katsuko's aunt returns -- Defending Mrs. Shima -- Ocho's plea -- Pride -- Aches and pains -- "No longer a tree" -- Kyota confronted -- Drunk as usual -- "The worst is over" -- Swimming pool -- All in a day's work -- Color bars.