KENJI MIZOGUCHI

Bil’s rating (out of 5):  BBBB. 

Original title:  Akasen Chitai

Japan, 1956.  Daiei Studios.  Screenplay by Masashige Narusawa, based on the novel by Susaki No Onna by Yoshiko Shibaki.  Cinematography by Kazuo Miyagawa.  Produced by Masaichi Nagata.  Music by Toshiro Mayuzumi.  Production Design by Hisao Ichikawa, Hiroshi Mizutani.  Costume Design by Tsugio Togo.  Film Editing by Kanji Suganuma.  

Kenji Mizoguchi directed this story of a group of women living and working in a brothel.  Machiko Kyô is excellent as a spirited young girl who searches for great love and passion in her work, while many of the others are there for less exciting reasons. Some have no other way of supporting their families, while others have no other way of supporting themselves. As usual with a Mizoguchi film, the photography and editing are excellent.

Venice Film Festival Award: Special Mention (Kenji Mizoguchi)