Ugetsu: Desire, Illusion and the Supernatural in Mizoguchi’s Cinema

Join us for a discussion of Ugetsu, one of the greatest achievements in Japanese cinema, directed by the masterful Kenji Mizoguchi.

Set in 16th-century Japan during a period of civil war, the film follows two peasant men whose ambitions and desires lead them away from their families and into a world where the boundaries between the living and the supernatural begin to dissolve.

Through haunting imagery, extraordinary long takes, and a dreamlike atmosphere, Mizoguchi explores the destructive power of ambition, the seductions of desire, the vulnerability of women, and the devastating human cost of war.

Blending historical drama, ghost story, and Buddhist morality, Ugetsu is a film of remarkable visual beauty and emotional depth. Its supernatural elements reveal something deeply human about greed, longing, illusion, and the things we sacrifice in pursuit of our dreams.

We’ll explore the film’s cinematic language, symbolism, historical context, and philosophical dimensions, and share our different interpretations of its enduring themes.

Everyone is welcome, whether you’re a longtime admirer of Japanese cinema or interested in discovering Mizoguchi’s work.