Street of Shame (Akasen chitai)
Directed by Kenji Mizoguchi
Written by Masashige Narusawa from a novel by Yoshiko Shibake
1956/Japan
Daiei Studios
First viewing/Netflix rental
Every man wants a woman to appeal to his better side, his nobler instincts and his higher nature-and another woman to help him forget them. — Helen Rowland
Mizoguchi’s swan song is one of his best efforts.
The story takes place against the background of the Japanese Diet’s consideration of a bill outlawing prostitution. The “mother” and “father” of a brothel are mighty worried. They needn’t be because the girls are in such desperate circumstances that they have nowhere else to turn. Every woman except the youngest and most popular is deeply in debt. The one with the money has turned loan shark and is also conning her patron into supplying her with further money in the belief that she will marry him when she gets out of debt.
The women’s troubles do not end with their money woes. We have one with an unemployed husband and baby who is barely scraping by; another who has been working to support her son; and one who finally leaves to marry a man in her village. Finally, we are introduced to a new girl, the ultra-modern Westernized Mickie (Machiko Kyô). None escapes additional tragedy as the story progresses.
This is a powerful and moving film. It has a very modern feel and is told more-or-less as a series of vignettes. I like that Mizoguchi gives none of his whores hearts of gold. They are more human and poignant for that. Recommended.
This movie reportedly led to the final outlawing of prostitution in Japan the following year. The sex trade lingers on as only actual intercourse for hire is subject to the ban. Mizoguchi died in 1956 of leukemia at the age of 58
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