#664: MIZOGUCHI, Kenji: The Life Of Oharu (1952)

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MIZOGUCHI, Kenji (Japan)
The Life Of Oharu [1952]
Spine #664
Blu-ray


A peerless chronicler of the soul who specialized in supremely emotional, visually exquisite films about the circumstances of women in Japanese society, Kenji Mizoguchi had already been directing movies for decades when he made The Life of Oharu in 1952. But this epic portrait of an inexorable fall from grace, starring the astounding Kinuyo Tanaka as an imperial lady-in-waiting who gradually descends to street prostitution, was the movie that gained the director international attention, ushering in a new golden period for him.

136 minutes
Black & White
Monaural
in Japanese
1:37:1 aspect ratio
Criterion Release 2013
Director/Writers


Based on a novel by Saikaku Ihara.
Screenplay by Yoshikata Yoda.

Film Rating (0-60):

60

The Extras

The Booklet

Twenty-four page booklet featuring an essay by scholar Gilberto Perez.

Commentary

For the opening of the movie by film scholar Dudley Andrew.

Mizoguchi’s Art and the Demimonde

An illustrated audio essay featuring Andrew.

The Travels of Kinuyo Tanaka

A 2009 film by Koko Kajiyama documenting the actor’s 1949 goodwill tour of the United States.

Extras Rating (0-40):

39

60 + 39 =

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