Akasen Chitai / Yokihi details
| Format: | 12 DVD |
|---|---|
| Starring: | Machiko Kyo, Aiko Mimasu, Masayuki Mori |
| Director: | Kenji Mizoguchi |
| Genres: | Drama - Television, World Cinema - New Zealand |
| Studio: | EUREKA ENTERTAINMENT |
| Name | Discs | |
|---|---|---|
Akasen Chitai |
12 Disc 1 | |
Yokihi |
12 Disc 2 |
DVD Information
| Rental release: | Not available for rental |
|---|---|
| Main languages: | English |
Write your own review
Most helpful review
Classic Mizoguchi
By Savage (632 reviews) from London, England , 17 Sep 2008[Highly rated reviewer]
The last two films the great Kenji Mizoguchi directed are here put together in another extremely intelligent, well-presented package by Eureka. Like the other double bills in the series, one (AKASEN CHITAI) is contemporary, while the other (YOHIKI) delves back into the feudal past. The first tells of the trapped lives of a group of Tokyo prostitutes, battling poverty, their clients and increasing government legislation, all the while tragically aware that they can never escape the trade which life has chosen for them. Perceptive and moving and utterly unsentimental, it's a sinewy film presenting an unforgiving portrait of a Tokyo in transition.
The second film goes back to eighth century China, where the Emperor is mourning his recently deceased wife, until a scheming politician persuades him to accept a new girl (taken from the kitchens) into his harem. As this girl becomes the Emperor's acknowledged beloved, so her family rises through the ranks to positions of power, something which will eventually lead to everyone's downfall. Based on a legend, it is beautifully shot in rapturous colour, and splits into two halves: the love story, and its political consequences. Once again, the director is alive to all the ironies and nuances, and the result is compelling.- Was this review helpful to you?
- (5) Yes |
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(2)serious subject done as melodrama
By a customer from North of Reading , 18 Nov 2008Post war any society will suffer and struggle to regain its footing and within that society people will try to survive as best they can. This film looks at the brothels that arose after the war and the stories of the girls working there, although well-meaning about the hardships they suffered it over eggs the pudding and as one character says near the end 'a murder and a lunatic in the same evening, who would have believed it'. A shame for Mizoguchi to end on such a poor note.- Was this review helpful to you?
- (1) Yes |
- No (1)
Classic Mizoguchi
By Savage (632 reviews) from London, England , 17 Sep 2008The last two films the great Kenji Mizoguchi directed are here put together in another extremely intelligent, well-presented package by Eureka. Like the other double bills in the series, one (AKASEN CHITAI) is contemporary, while the other (YOHIKI) delves back into the feudal past. The first tells of the trapped lives of a group of Tokyo prostitutes, battling poverty, their clients and increasing government legislation, all the while tragically aware that they can never escape the trade which life has chosen for them. Perceptive and moving and utterly unsentimental, it's a sinewy film presenting an unforgiving portrait of a Tokyo in transition.
The second film goes back to eighth century China, where the Emperor is mourning his recently deceased wife, until a scheming politician persuades him to accept a new girl (taken from the kitchens) into his harem. As this girl becomes the Emperor's acknowledged beloved, so her family rises through the ranks to positions of power, something which will eventually lead to everyone's downfall. Based on a legend, it is beautifully shot in rapturous colour, and splits into two halves: the love story, and its political consequences. Once again, the director is alive to all the ironies and nuances, and the result is compelling.- Was this review helpful to you?
- (5) Yes |
- No (0)
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