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Director
Kenji Mizoguchi
Defining Films
Profile
Kenji Mizoguchi (1898-1956) was a Japanese director who developed a distinctive visual style emphasizing long takes, deep-focus cinematography, and mobile framing to capture human emotion and social dynamics. His films often examined the lives of women in Japanese society, particularly in works like *Ugetsu* (1953) and *Sansho the Bailiff* (1954), which combined historical settings with contemporary social critique. Mizoguchi's approach to mise-en-scène and his use of negative space influenced generations of filmmakers internationally. His work remains central to discussions of Japanese cinema and the development of modernist film aesthetics in the postwar period.
Filmography (90)
Ugetsu
The Life of Oharu
The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum
Tales of the Pale and Silvery Moon After the Rain
Tales of the Pale and Silvery Moon After the Rain
Utamaro and His Five Women
Sansho the Bailiff
Crucified Lovers / A Story From Chikamatsu
Street of Shame
When Mizoguchi died in August , he was on the point of filming his first postwar comedy, Osaka Story . The script was realised in by director Kozaburo Yoshimura.
When Mizoguchi died in August , he was on the point of filming his first postwar comedy, Osaka Story . The script was realised in by director Kozaburo Yoshimura.
Tales of the Taira Clan
The Empress Yang Kwei Fei
A Woman of Rumour / The Crucified Woman
Gion Festival Music
The Lady From Musashino
The Lady From Musashino
The Life of Oharu / The Life of a Woman, by Saikaku
The Life of Oharu / The Life of a Woman, by Saikaku
Miss Oyu
Portrait of Madame Yuki
My Love Has Been Burning
Women of the Night
The Loves of Actress Sumako
The Loves of Actress Sumako
Five Women Around Utamaro
Five Women Around Utamaro
Victory of Women
Victory Song
The Famous Sword
The Swordsman
Three Generations of Danjuro
Three Generations of Danjuro
The Life of an Actor
The Loyal 47 Ronin of the Genroku Era
A Woman of Osaka
Story of the Late Chrysanthemums
Story of the Late Chrysanthemums
Song of the Camp
Song of the Camp
Ah, my Hometown
Ah, my Hometown
The Straits of Love and Hate
Osaka Elegy
Sisters of Gion
The Poppy
Oyuki the Virgin
The Downfall of Osen / Osen of the Paper Cranes
The Downfall of Osen / Osen of the Paper Cranes
The Mountain Pass of Love and Hate
The Shimpu Group
The Shimpu Group
Gion Festival
Cascading White Threads / White Threads of the Waterfall
The Man of the Moment / Timely Mediator
The Man of the Moment / Timely Mediator
Dawn in Manchuria / The Dawn of the Founding of Manchuko and Mongolia
Dawn in Manchuria / The Dawn of the Founding of Manchuko and Mongolia
And Yet They Go On
Okichi, Mistress of a Foreigner
Okichi, Mistress of a Foreigner
Hometown
Tokyo March
Bridge of Japan
Metropolitan Symphony
The Morning Sun Shines
My Loving Daughter
My Loving Daughter
A Man’s Life
The Cuckoo – New Version
The Cuckoo – New Version
The Imperial Grace
The Imperial Grace
It’s My Fault – New Version
It’s My Fault – New Version
A Paper Doll’s Whisper of Spring
Passion of a Woman Teacher
The Boy From the Sea
The Copper Coin King
The Copper Coin King
Money/Gold
The Earth Smiles
A Sketch on the Road / Street Scenes
A Sketch on the Road / Street Scenes
General Nogi and Kuma-San
General Nogi and Kuma-San
No Money, No Fight
No Money, No Fight
Out of College
Song of Home
Song of Home
The Human Being
The White Lily Laments
The White Lily Laments
Under the Crimson Sunset
Under the Crimson Sunset
The Sad Idiot
The Sad Idiot
Turkeys in a Row / The Trace of a Turkey (Shichimencho no Yukue
Turkeys in a Row / The Trace of a Turkey (Shichimencho no Yukue
Queen of the Circus
Queen of Modern Times
Queen of Modern Times
Woman of Pleasure
This Dusty World
This Dusty World
Death at Dawn
Chronicle of the Rainy Season
Chronicle of the Rainy Season
Song of the Mountain Pass
Song of the Mountain Pass
Strong is the Female
Strong is the Female
Hometown
Song of Failure
Song of Failure
Resurrection of Love
In the Ruins
The Night
Harbour of Desire
Blood and Soul
Foggy Harbour
Foggy Harbour
Dreams of Youth
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