This heartrending masterpiece by Kenji Mizoguchi about the give-and-take between life and art marked the first full realization of the hypnotic long takes and eloquent camera movements that would come to define the director’s films. Kikunosuke (Shotaro Hanayagi), the adopted son of a legendary kabuki actor who is striving to achieve stardom by mastering female roles, turns to his infant brother’s wet nurse for support and affection—and she soon gives up everything for her beloved’s creative glory. – The Criterion Collection
Director: Kenji Mizoguchi
Cast: Shotaro Hanayagi, Kokichi Takada, Gonjuro Kawarazaki
Country: Japan
Distributor: Janus Films
Rating: Not Rated
Runtime: 2 hours, 24 minutes
Platform: The Criterion Channel
Special Programming: Classic Cinema
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Author: Josh Hornbeck
Josh is the founder of Cinema Cocktail, and he is a writer and director, podcaster and critic, and communications and marketing professional living and working in the greater Seattle area. View all posts by Josh Hornbeck