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context: movies > directors
|
The Life of Oharu |
Kenji Mizoguchi, 1898-1956
Mizoguchi mostly specialised in films centring on women - that was what he was commissioned to do in his early movies. He was called a feminist director, but while his films certainly demonstrated the oppressed situation of women in Japanese society, it's too easy to see them as ennobling that inferior position, finding a heroism in it, rather than protesting against it. It's hard to see him as feminist now. His style utilised ingering shots, a theatrical style and richly complex sets.
One great quote from him, about one reason for focussing on women: "I'm very quarrelsome, so when I work there is always the possibility of a fight, but I can't very well slug an actress."