Ugetsu Monogatari (1953) by Kenji Mizoguchi — Movie Discussion
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By the time he made Ugetsu, Kenji Mizoguchi was already an elder statesman of Japanese cinema, fiercely revered by Akira Kurosawa and other directors of a younger generation. And with this exquisite ghost story set in war-torn 16th century Japan, he created a touchstone of his art, his long takes and sweeping camera guiding the viewer through a delirious narrative about two villagers whose self-absorption, ambition, and pride lead them astray. Moving between the terrestrial and the otherworldly, Ugetsu sets out to describe the world in its cosmic totality: the depths of the human heart, the mysteries of the heavens, the seen and the unseen.
"With its thought-provoking themes, rich atmosphere, and brilliant direction, Ugetsu Monogatari is a towering classic of world cinema." (Rotten Tomatoes)
"Simultaneously realistic, allegorical, and supernatural, Ugetsu is the most stylistically perfect of all Mizoguchi's works" (TIFF)
"Densely plotted but as emotionally subtle as its name, Ugetsu is one of the great experiences of cinema." (Chicago Reader)
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Let's discuss Ugetsu Monogatari (1953) directed by the great Japanese filmmaker Kenji Mizoguchi, recently voted the 74th greatest movie of all time in Sight & Sound's international survey of filmmakers and the 57th greatest movie of all time according to a meta-analysis by TheyShootPictures. The directors Martin Scorsese and Andrei Tarkovsky have both cited the movie as one of their top 10 favourite films. The movie is based on a Japanese collection of stories by Ueda Akinari published in 1776. The Japanese title Ugetsu Monogatari or 雨月物語 literally means "Rain Moon Tales".
Please watch the movie in advance and bring your thoughts, reactions, and queries to share with us at the meeting.
You can stream it here (check settings in player for English subtitles and to adjust quality) or rent it on various platforms online.
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