Love of Sumako the Actress (Joyu Sumako no koi)

1947, 96 min., 16mm, b&w. In Japanese with English subtitles.

Directed by Kenji Mizoguchi. Written by Yoshikata Yoda, based on a novel by Hideo Nagata. Cinematography by Shigeto Miki. Music by Hisahito Osawa. With Kinuyo Tanaka, So Yamamura, Eijiro Tono, Koreya Senda, Sugisaku Aoyama. Print courtesy of The Japan Foundation with permission from Janus Films and Home Vision Entertainment.

Sumako Matsui (1886-1919) was at the center of the shingeki (modern theater) movement in the early 20th century, having starred in adaptations of the works of Western writers such as Shakespeare, Tolstoy and Ibsen. Her real life was just as dramatic as her stage career, and she was hailed as a pioneer of the women’s movement. Two versions of Matsui’s biographical film were produced in 1947 and Kenji Mizoguchi directed this one, which features his long-time muse Kinuyo Tanaka.

Tickets: $10; Japan Society members, seniors & students $5.