Movie No. 88 (2013): UGETSU MONOGATARI
Ugetsu Monogatari (1953)
Director: Kenji Mizoguchi
Cast: Masayuki Mori, Sajae Ozawa, Machiko Kyo
In Japanese, with English subtitles
The movie is a heartbreaking period (16th century) drama about two men who dream beyond their means and the consequences of pursuing such dreams. One is a pottery maker: he dreams of wealth. He sells his wares, leaves his wife, and becomes bewitched by a vengeful ghost. The other is a farmer; he dreams of becoming a celebrated samurai. He, too, sells his wares, and leaves his wife. The potter's wife gets murdered by a soldier.The farmer's wife ends up as a prostitute after being raped.
Director: Kenji Mizoguchi
Cast: Masayuki Mori, Sajae Ozawa, Machiko Kyo
In Japanese, with English subtitles
The movie is a heartbreaking period (16th century) drama about two men who dream beyond their means and the consequences of pursuing such dreams. One is a pottery maker: he dreams of wealth. He sells his wares, leaves his wife, and becomes bewitched by a vengeful ghost. The other is a farmer; he dreams of becoming a celebrated samurai. He, too, sells his wares, and leaves his wife. The potter's wife gets murdered by a soldier.The farmer's wife ends up as a prostitute after being raped.
The war in the backdrop, the supernatural element, the black and white cinematography, and the suggestive attack on machismo make this film rare and (indeed) as masterpiece not only of Japanese cinema but also of world cinema.
Rating: 4.0/4.0
Date seen: April 12, 2013
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