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Mizoguchi’s sympathetic film of the plight of women in pre-War society centres on two geisha sisters; Umekichi (Isuzu Yamada), and Omacha (Yoko Umemura). The sisters differ not only in age, but in the attitudes to their profession and the clients they service. The younger sister, Omacha, is disillusioned about men and relationships and actively sets out to destroy a young clerk. The elder sister becomes romantically involved with one of her former clients, bankrupt merchant Omocha (Yoko Umemura), and finds temporary happiness. Ultimately, Mizoguchi suggests they are both victims to circumstance and the position of women in society. Gion refers to the Kyoto district where the sisters work. In Japanese with English subtitles.
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How to watch
Collection
In ACMI's collection
Credits
Collection metadata
ACMI Identifier
309512
Language
Japanese
Subject categories
Advertising, Film, Journalism, Mass Media & TV → Foreign language films
Anthropology, Ethnology, Exploration & Travel → Geishas - Japan
Anthropology, Ethnology, Exploration & Travel → Japan - Social life and customs
Anthropology, Ethnology, Exploration & Travel → Women - Japan
Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Geishas - Japan
Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Prostitution
Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Women - Japan
Family, Gender Identity, Relationships & Sexuality → Brothers and sisters
Family, Gender Identity, Relationships & Sexuality → Women - Japan
Sound/audio
Sound
Colour
Black and White
Holdings
VHS; Access Print (Section 1)