Ugetsu

MONTHLY CLASSICS · KAZUO MIYAGAWA

Friday, April 6, 7 PM

This new 4K restoration of Kenji Mizoguchi‘s towering masterpiece offers viewers an opportunity to appreciate the nuance of cinematographer Kazuo Miyagawa‘s exquisite images. A haunting and elegant fable about the illusory nature of desire set during the civil wars of Japan’s 16th century, Ugetsu seamlessly weaves reality and fantasy together with painterly images that unfurl like scenes from an emaki scroll. Among the film’s many breathtaking moments, the waterfront picnic between a potter and the ghost of a noblewoman is reportedly the only scene Miyagawa shot for Mizoguchi (out of eight total films) for which the famously stone-faced director complimented him.

1953, 94 min., DCP, b&w, in Japanese with English subtitles. Directed by Kenji Mizoguchi. With Machiko Kyo, Mitsuko Mito, Kinuyo Tanaka, Masayuki Mori.

Tickets: $13/$10 seniors & students / $5 Japan Society members

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