Kenji Mizoguchi

Kenji Mizoguchi
(1989-1956)

Coming from a lower class family Mizoguchi entered the production company Nikkatsu as an actor specialized in female roles. Later he became an assistant director and made his first film in 1922. Although he filmed almost 90 movies in the silent era, only his last 12 productions are really known outside of Japan (imdb).

But look at this image: it's from a movie made by Mizoguchi in 1929. Isn't it grandiose? The train over the viaduct called in my mind the world of Ozu, of course; but this movie was before Ozu started!

• Tokyo March: a Movie by Mizoguchi From 1929
• Osaka Elegy (1936)
• Sisters of Gion (1936)
• Women of the Night (1948)
• Ugetsu (1953)

(Japanese Cinema)