The treasure trove of old Japanese films on YouTube led me to this two-part movie. (The second part is called, "Zoku aoi sanmyaku.") As whole, I thought it was interesting and very watchable, partly because it is somewhat unpredictable. I liked the overall theme of Japan emerging from the war as a new, less feudal country with less confrontational attitudes and a new interest in democracy-though the town's crooked leaders' attempt to apply a veneer of "democratic" principles to a fateful parent/teacher meeting was hilarious.
Although the plight of women at that time was rather miserable, the three main women in this story were all bright lights. It was interesting to see Yoko Sugi (from Mikio Naruse's "Husband and Wife") as the bullied school girl. She is a lively, and likeable presence in both roles.
It was also great to see Setsuko Hara play a commanding role as a progressive, modern teacher at girls' school attempting to break the hidebound chains of this rural town that were continuing to subjugate its girls and women. But she was almost outshone by Machiyo Kugure as the local geisha, who liked to play dumb, but didn't miss a trick (no pun intended). Although her role was not as big as her star turns in Ozu's "The Flavor of Green Tea Over Rice" and Mizoguchi's "Street of Shame," it is just as memorable. I also liked her "little sister," played engagingly by Setsuo Wakayama (at age 20!).
Finally, it has to be remembered that any movies made then in Japan had to get past the American censors too. The censors probably liked the basic theme of the film and seemingly let slide some profanity and risqué dialogue, but I wonder if anything had to be changed.
Although the plight of women at that time was rather miserable, the three main women in this story were all bright lights. It was interesting to see Yoko Sugi (from Mikio Naruse's "Husband and Wife") as the bullied school girl. She is a lively, and likeable presence in both roles.
It was also great to see Setsuko Hara play a commanding role as a progressive, modern teacher at girls' school attempting to break the hidebound chains of this rural town that were continuing to subjugate its girls and women. But she was almost outshone by Machiyo Kugure as the local geisha, who liked to play dumb, but didn't miss a trick (no pun intended). Although her role was not as big as her star turns in Ozu's "The Flavor of Green Tea Over Rice" and Mizoguchi's "Street of Shame," it is just as memorable. I also liked her "little sister," played engagingly by Setsuo Wakayama (at age 20!).
Finally, it has to be remembered that any movies made then in Japan had to get past the American censors too. The censors probably liked the basic theme of the film and seemingly let slide some profanity and risqué dialogue, but I wonder if anything had to be changed.