The Crucified Lovers / Chikamatsu Monogatari (Kenji Mizoguchi, 1954, Japan)
Rating: PG Running time: 102 minutes
Mizoguchi's third film from 1954 (the others were Her Mother's Profession and The Legend Of Bailiff Sansho) although having a historical setting once again reflects one of the director’s abiding themes, particularly in this his late period, the position of women in traditional Japanese society. Set in feudal times, the story concerns Mohei, the servant of a printer and his attempts to rescue his emplyer's wife, Osan, from family shame. This leads inadvertently to accusations of adultery, something which was punishable by crucifixion. The pair flee and genuine romance blossoms. Based on a 17th century play, the treatment is highly stylized and melodramatic and for naturalistic expectations this tends to have distancing effect on the performances. Mizoguchi's critique of traditional patriarchy is however unequivocal and effective and with a regular team of collaborators, including a score from Fumio Hayasaka, script by Yoshikata Yoda, cinematography by Kazuo Miyagawa and art direction from Hiroshi Mizutani, for anyone who enjoys Japanese aesthetics this is a first class to addition to a high-water period for Japanese film-making. BH
DVD Extras: Insert Essay by Dr Mats Karlsson, University of Sydney: Original theatrical teaser and trailer.
DVD available from: Madman
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