Uwasa no onna

There is not really much that could be said about this beautifully executed film; if you are familiar with Mizoguchi's themes, you will most likely know that the majority of his films are based on women's suffering. This film is no exception; it revolves around a geisha house run by a widow whose daughter had attempted to commit suicide, after her boyfriend found out about her mother's everyday profession (this can actually be found in the film's synopsis). However, the daughter then decides to look after all the women carrying out their duties at her mother's business, as she learns they are there because hard times require it. Between mother and daughter mediates a young doctor who also takes part in the business, taking good care of the geisha.

I would recommend this film to anyone interested in classic Japanese cinema. However, if you are new to Mizoguchi, you might want to start with his most famous films.

My score: 9/10