Review of Sisters of the Gion (1936) by Trill F — 12 Aug 2009
A kindhearted geisha takes in a former client who has fallen on hard times, prompting her younger sister to seek wealthy patronage by fair means or foul. Who will prosper, the generous or the greedy sister? Well, neither one actually, which is precisely the point that Mizoguchi is making here: honourable or selfish, the geisha will be exploited just the same; she cannot win.
The ending, a passionate tirade against the continuing existence of geisha girls in Japanese society, is bleak and powerful, but the male bad behaviour that sets it up feels a mite forced and unconvincing, out of character even.
The two women are great though, especially Omocha (Isuzu Yamada), the younger sister, whose femme fatale-like duplicity drives the narrative. Lovely camerawork.
This review of Sisters of the Gion (1936) was written by Trill F on 12 Aug 2009.
Sisters of the Gion has generally received positive reviews.
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