Akasen chitai (1956)

 

The personal tales of various prostitutes who occupy a brothel.

Kenji Mizuguchi's last film startles with a narrative full of subplots centered on the turmoil and sorrows of one brothel's inhabitants; lively staged with a large cast there are some strong and heart-wrenching scenes along the way.

Halliwell*: "Unremarkable material executed with the style expected of the director."

Maltin***1/2: "...sensitively handled in Mizoguchi's last completed film. Kyo is particularly memorable as a tough, cynical lady of the night; her scene with her father is a highlight." 

Gion Bayashi (1953)

 

A seasoned geisha and her apprentice maiko are forced to give in to their clients' sexual advances to survive.

This elegantly photographed tragedy conveys and condemns female exploitation and suppression in Japanese society; the ensemble is excellent and the settings wonderfully detailed.

Maltin***: "Beautiful photography by the great Kazuo Miyagawa complements Mizuguchi's usual biting social critique." 

Aozora musume (1957)