Ugetsu, by director kenji mizoguchi is one of the most beautiful and hauntingly character driven films in the history of not only japanese cinema, but cinema anywhere. Based on some centuriesold japanese ghost stories of ueda akinari ugetsu monogatari, 1776, mizoguchi and his longtime. Displaying all of the hallmarks of kenji mizoguchis quietly affecting style, this landmark film has been one of the most highly praised japanese movies, garnering the admiration of such directors as jeanluc godard and jacques rivette, as well as a silver lion from the venice film festival. The trials of the two men, one a potter masayuki mori who gets. Kenji mizoguchis seamless fusion of poetic realism and surreal mysticism creates a rarefied atmosphere that is paradoxically beautiful and austere, redemptive and tragic, symbolizing genjuros coexistence between the physical and. Ugetsu monogatari brune blonde, lexposition virtuelle. Bright lights film journal, 22 sept 1998 em ingles thomson, david. Ugetsu monogatari masters of cinema dual format edition blu. A tale of ambition, family, love, and war set in the midst of the japanese civil wars of the sixteenth century.
Ugetsu, also known as tales of ugetsu or ugetsu monogatari. Looking for information on the manga ugetsu monogatari. Tales of moonlight and rain is a collection of classical japanese horrorsuspense stories. Every little detail inside the frame is highly planned, thought out and executed pedantically by him. Kenji mizoguchi s ugetsu 1953 tells their stories in one of the greatest of all films one which, along with kurosawas rashomon, helped introduce japanese cinema to western audiences. Kenji mizoguchis ugetsu 1953 tells their stories in one of the greatest of all films one which, along with kurosawas rashomon, helped introduce japanese cinema to western audiences.
Ugetsu monogatari by kenji mizoguchi kenji mizoguchi. In wartorn sixteenth century japan, a potter and a farmer leave their respective wives, one to. Login to add items to your list, keep track of your progress, and rate series. Eitaro ozawa as tobei as sakae ozawa ichisaburo sawamura as genichi.
Matsutaro kawaguchi, yoshikata yoda based on stories by akinari ueda phot. Audio commentary by critic, filmmaker, and festival programmer tony rayns kenji mizoguchi. Ugetsu was one of the first works of reading books yomihon that were published for a smaller. Genjuro by the ghostly charm of lady wakasa and tobei by the dream of being a famed great samurai.
Of all the stories in the book the most intriguing and spinechilling perhaps are. He died in 1809, in kyoto at that time the capital of the nation. Based on two of the short stories contained in ueda akinaris tales of moonlight and rain first published in 1776, mizoguchis most celebrated film arrives in the. The stories are simple, but abundant with traditional fictional japanese characters, such as the halfman halfbird tengu, white serpents. By the time he made ugetsu, kenji mizoguchi was already an elder statesman of japanese cinema, fiercely revered by akira kurosawa and other directors of a. Ugetsu monogatari tales of the moon and rain 1953 has since i saw it for the first time followed me deeply throughout my life, namely because of as you mention, the cinematography is spot on. Ugetsu monogatari masters of cinema dual format edition.
Ugetsu monogatari tales of moonlight and rain a complete english version of the eighteenthcentury japanese collection of tales of the supernatural based on the first woodblock edition of 1776 with illustrations and an introduction for western readers. With masayuki mori, machiko kyo, kinuyo tanaka, mitsuko mito. Ugetsu monogatari is an exquisitely realized, serenely composed allegorical film on love, greed, and betrayal. Fumio hayasaka, tamekichi mochizuki, ichiro saito cast. Ugetsu monogatari tale of two men in seething 16thcentury japan has a color and panorama which makes this absorbing film fare. Mar 04, 2011 a sample of the song sung by lady wakasa kyo machiko in mizoguchis famed ugetsu monogatari.
No less acclaimed has been its maker, kenji mizoguchi. Post jobs, find pros, and collaborate commissionfree in our professional marketplace. In 16th century japan, peasants genjuro and tobei sell their earthenware pots to a group of soldiers in a nearby village, in defiance of a local sages warning against seeking to profit from warfare. Ugetsu monogatari 1953 movie clip ghost of the lake. With its thoughtprovoking themes, rich atmosphere, and brilliant direction, kenji mizoguchi s ugetsu monogatari is a towering classic of world cinema. Mizoguchi s bestknown work, based on two stories by the 18th century writer akinari ueda often described as the japanese maupassant, was one of a handful. Review by dirk diggler 9 part beautiful morality fable, part haunting ghost story, part war film, part love story, part social period drama, and a full on fucking extraordinary piece of. Ugetsu is a 1953 japanese film in 16th century japan potter genjuro and tobei set out with their wives in search of wealth and military glory. This undated woodblockprinted edition includes ten doublepage llustrations. Ugetsu monogatari has been widely acclaimed as a masterpiece of the japanese.
Tales of moonlight and rain is a collection of ghostly folktales from edo japan. Like bach, titian, and shakespeare, he is the greatest in his art, enthused the french critic jean douchet. Based on a pair of 18th century ghost stories by ueda akinari, the films release continued mizoguchi s introduction to the west, where it was nominated for an oscar for best costume design and won the the venice film festival silver lion award for best direction. Ugetsu monogatari, or tales of moonlight and rain numbers among the bestloved japanese classics. Based on a pair of 18th century ghost stories by ueda akinari, the films release continued mizoguchis introduction to the west, where it was nominated for an oscar for best costume design and won the the venice film festival silver lion award for best direction. By the time he made ugetsu, kenji mizoguchi was already an elder statesman of japanese cinema, fiercely revered by akira kurosawa and other directors of a younger generation. Ugetsu monogatari was not the first kenji mizoguchi film to be shown in the west, but it was the first to reveal him to the west as a major artist.
It is a ghost story and an example of the jidaigeki period drama genre, starring masayuki mori and machiko kyo. Mizoguchis bestknown work, based on two stories by the 18th century writer akinari ueda often described as the japanese maupassant, was one of a handful. Oscars best picture winners best picture winners golden globes emmys san diego comiccon new york comiccon sundance film festival toronto intl film festival awards central festival central all events. Ugetsu monogatari was the basis for the film ugetsu 1953, directed by mizoguchi kenji read more. Two parallel tales ensue when the men are lured from their wives. Among the masterpieces he created during this period, one of the most famous is ugetsu aka ugetsu monogatari tales of moonlight and rain, 1953.
It is a ghost story and an example of the jidaigeki period drama genre, starring masayuki mori and machiko kyo drawing its plot particularly from uedas tales the house in. Ugetsu monogatari has been widely acclaimed as a masterpiece of the japanese cinema since the moment in 1952 when its director, kenji mizoguchi, won a silver lion award for the film at the venice festival. Largely taken from traditional japanese and chinese ghost stories, the collection is among most important works of japanese fiction of the 18th century, the middle of the edo period. Humble potter genjuro masayuki mori is received in the home of the diabolical lady wakasa machiko kyo in a famous scene from kenji mizoguchis ugetsu monogatari, 1953. Genjuro masayuki mori, tobei kasae ozawa and their wives meet a dying traveler in the famous boat sequence from kenji mizoguchis ugetsu monogatari, 1953. Independent, 23 june 2002 em ingles kenji mizoguchi em ingles no internet movie database. It was first published in 1776, and was adapted from chinese ghost stories. The collection is wellknown for its supernatural elements, and it has been translated into english multiple times as tales of moonlight and rain and as. Ugetsu monogatari oyusama masters of cinema 1951 dvd.
Mizoguchis fluid camerawork expands this otherworldly tragedy into a profound meditation on the. The stories are simple, but abundant with traditional fictional japanese characters, such as the halfman halfbird. Largely taken from traditional japanese and chinese ghost stories, the collection is among most important works of japanese fiction of the 18th century, the middle of the edo. Humble potter genjuro masayuki mori is received in the home of the diabolical lady wakasa machiko kyo in a famous scene from kenji mizoguchis ugetsu monogatari, 1953 view the tcmdb entry for ugetsu 1953. Mizoguchis ugetsu monogatari tales of the rain and moon is a highly acclaimed masterwork of japanese cinema.
Mizoguchi s ugetsu monogatari tales of the moon obscured by rainclouds left me with a peculiar aftertaste. Western audiences immediately recognized the pictorial beauty of ugetsu and the lyrical power. Tales of moonlight and rain ueda akinari, leon zolbrod. Tout sur ugetsu monogatari bluray masayuki mori machiko kyo, bluray et toute lactualite en dvd et bluray. The life of a film director, a 1975 documentary by kaneto shindo two worlds intertwined, a 2005 appreciation of ugetsu by masahiro shinoda process and production, a 2005 interview with tokuzo tanaka, first assistant director on ugetsu interview from 1992. Ugetsu continues to be a very fine example of mid century japanese revisiting of traditional cultural material to prop up a morality tale. With its thoughtprovoking themes, rich atmosphere, and brilliant direction, kenji mizoguchis ugetsu monogatari is a towering classic of world cinema.
Masayuki mori, machiko kyo, kinuyo tanaka, eitaro ozawa, ikio. Our take a richly atmospheric adaptation of two 18th century ghost stories, kenji mizoguchis golden age masterpiece ugetsu is a true classic one of the most influential and iconic films of japanese cinema. It became famous in the west through kenji mizoguchis 1953 film by the same title, which focuses on a single narrativefrom aaji go yado the house amid. Mizoguchis ugetsu monogatari tales of the rain and moon, aka ugetsu is a highly acclaimed masterwork of japanese cinema. Ugetsu monogatari 1953, directed by kenji mizoguchi film. The heroes are roughhewn and consumed by ambition, but the film style is elegant and mysterious, and somehow we know before we are told that this is a. These nine illustrated tales of the supernatural from eighteenthcentury osaka combine popular appeal with a high literary standard. Notable as a study of the nature of reality and for its sense of place created by carefully controlled camera movement, ugetsu is an allegorical. Ugetsu monogatari or tales of moonlight and rain routledge. Dissolving the family business, which he inherited, he became a physician and practised this profession until a young girl in his care died and he decided to give up. Even more exquisite and emotionally poignant than their collaboration on ugetsu monogatari, the film gave mizoguchi his second silver lion at venice although somewhat ignominiously for mizoguchi, the prize was shared with kurosawas seven samurai. Find out more with myanimelist, the worlds most active online anime and manga community and database. For a film that remains one of the glories of fantastic cinema, mizoguchis achievement in giving ugetsu a strong sense of place is remarkable.
Mizoguchis ugetsu monogatari tales of the moon obscured by rainclouds left me with a peculiar aftertaste. Ugetsu monogatari 1953, considered one of the finest of all japanese films, is an outstanding example of mizoguchis period drama. Moma kenji mizoguchis ugetsu these notes accompany the screenings of kenji mizoguchis ugetsuon june 20, 21, and 22 my uncle, albert green, was an internationally acclaimed ceramicist whose work is primarily in the collection of the morris museum in new jersey. Genjuro masayuki mori, tobei kasae ozawa and their wives meet a dying traveler in the famous boat sequence from kenji mizoguchis ugetsu monogatari, 1953 view.
Ugetsu monogatari masters of cinema dual format edition bluray. A tale of ambition, family, love, and war set in the midst of. A genius tale of mans avarice and ambition, told with a. Read ugetsu monogatari or tales of moonlight and rain routledge revivals a complete english version of the eighteenthcentury japanese collection of tales of the supernatural by ueda akinari available from rakuten kobo. Presented in a glorious 4k digital restoration, ugetsu is mizoguchis towering achievement, a haunting and decorous fable about the illusory nature of desire set during the civil wars of japans 16th century. Ugetsu monogatari kenji mizoguchi, 1953 in american movies, movie ghosts tend to be vengeful demons and malevolent wraiths, determined to suck the goodness from the living. And as often for mizoguchi, nothing is a coincidence and nothing is put randomly into the frame. Based on a pair of 18th century ghost stories by ueda akinari, the films release continued mizoguchi s introduction to the west, where it was nominated for an oscar and won the the venice film festivals silver lion award for best direction. Ugetsu kenji mizoguchi 1953 japanese filmmaker kenji mizoguchis career reached its peak in the early 1950s just before his untimely death. Thats true of a lot of japanese cinema, too, but theres also a rich tradition of allowing spirits to be more ambiguous simply the dead, killed too early and. Unpopular essays on a popular art, quadrangle books, chicago, 1972, p.
Born in the merchant city of osaka in 1734,ueda akinari, the author of ugetsu monogatari, was a creative figure of unique talent in eighteenthcentury japan. Often appearing on lists of the ten greatest films of all time, called one of the most beautiful films ever made, or the most masterful work of japanese cinema, ugetsu comes to us awash in superlatives. Kenji mizoguchi s masterpiece sansho dayu turns 60 years old. Ugetsu monogatari is a collection of nine supernatural tales by the japanese author ueda akinari, first published in 1776. Kenji mizoguchi, director rutgers films in print keiko mcdonald on. What remained with me strongly though is the atmospherics for the lack of a better expression of the cinematic effort. Genjuros pursuit of both riches and the mysterious lady wakasa, as well as tobeis desire to become a samurai, run the risk of destroying both themselves and their wives, miyagi and ohama. Swiftly establishing itself especially in france on many critics ten best lists, the film opened the way for the acclamation of the work of mizoguchis final period. Jun 19, 2012 moma kenji mizoguchis ugetsu these notes accompany the screenings of kenji mizoguchis ugetsuon june 20, 21, and 22 my uncle, albert green, was an internationally acclaimed ceramicist whose work is primarily in the collection of the morris museum in new jersey. Mizoguchi s ugetsu monogatari tales of the rain and moon is a highly acclaimed masterwork of japanese cinema. Ugetsu monogatari is a collection of nine supernatural tales by the japanese author ueda. Japanese filmmaker kenji mizoguchis career reached its peak in the early 1950s just before his untimely death.
Ugetsu monogatari a tribute to kenji mizoguchi on vimeo. Based on a pair of 18th century ghost stories by ueda akinari, the films release continued mizoguchis introduction to the west, where it was nominated for an oscar and won the the venice film festivals silver lion award for best direction. Apr 24, 2012 kenji mizoguchi on bluray from masters of cinema kinnemaniac apr 25, 2012 at 11. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. Mizoguchi s ugetsu monogatari tales of the rain and moon, aka ugetsu is a highly acclaimed masterwork of japanese cinema. Ugetsu monogatari has been widely acclaimed as a masterpiece of the japanese cinema since the moment in 1952 when its director, kenji mizoguchi, won a. Swiftly establishing itself especially in france on many critics ten best lists, the film opened the way for the acclamation of the work of mizoguchi s final period.
1357 1111 753 36 1475 962 64 1470 436 3 615 939 1141 1270 375 282 421 90 996 144 1491 689 1221 723 1103 337 461 742 6 1478 1297 557 1338 223 429