Synopsis

Set in 17th century Kyoto, Osan is married to Ishun, a wealthy miserly scroll-maker. When Osan is falsely accused of having an affair with the Ishun’s most trusted servant, Mohei, the two flee away. While on the run, Osan and Mohei learned they love each other.

Programe Note

The Crucified Lovers is a film based on Daikyouji Mukashi Goyomi, a puppet show by CHIKAMATSU Monzaemon about a true love affair that occurred in the Edo period. YODA Yoshitaka adapted the play Osan and Mohei by KAWAGUCHI Matsutaro, and the legend MIZOGUCHI Kenji directed the film. It is a masterpiece made by a group of talented and skilled cineastes who were emblematic of the Daiei Film studio in the 1950s, including MIYAGAWA Kazuo on cinematography, HAYASAKA Fumio on music, and MIZUTANI Hiroshi on art. Praised by Godard, The Crucified Lovers displays the quintessence of traditional Japanese film through the beauty of black and white images, balanced composition of the screen, and precise editing and directing. The story between Osan and Mohei, the wife of a merchant and his employee respectively, who realize their love for each other through a series of coincidences, consummate their love in the face of death, and are crucified in the end for adultery has the prototype of the melodrama. KAGAWA Kyoko portrays the unfortunate young protagonist, married to an old man without love. She captures the innocence of a woman starting to burn with love for most of the film, as well as the subtle passion and sorrow of a woman who opened her eyes to her own life and sexuality. The Eros in the incredibly beautiful scene at Lake Biwa as Mohei washes her feet, the strength as she screams “I don’t want to die! I want to live!” and the emotion in her embracing Mohei at the end of the film are not mere acting. In these moments, KAGAWA sparkles like a gem as she puts her body and soul into the character. Despite the fact that it had been a difficult project for her, since she had to repeat the scenes without particular acting directions until the director was satisfied, The Crucified Lovers is a monumental piece of work that KAGAWA affirms to be the “best” among all the films she had starred in. [SAITO Ayako]