Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9786300149847
Format: NTSC
ISBN: 6300149846
Label: Embassy/Nelson Ent. - O.B.
Manufacturer: Embassy/Nelson Ent. - O.B.
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Embassy/Nelson Ent. - O.B.
Release Date: 1991-03-28
Running Time: 88
Studio: Embassy/Nelson Ent. - O.B.
Theatrical Release Date: 1959-06-04

Customer Rating:
Summary: Slaves in Dreamland
Comment:
Set in Tokyo's red light district, specifically at the Dreamland brothel, the movie examines the lives of five prostitutes, focusing especially on their virtual enslavement to the prostitution system because they are never able to escape it economically and make it on the "outside." One woman attempts it by marrying a poor man, but finds married life to this man even more oppressive than prostitution. Another, a widow, has raised her son with the profits of her trade - only now that he's grown he is embarrassed by his mother and disowns her (she goes insane). It's a social protest movie against an economic (and societal) system that offers limited choices for women to make a living, other than in the world's oldest profession. Director Kenji Mizoguchi's poignant swan song, and he approaches his subject artfully and honestly. An excellent movie.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Mizoguchi's Swan Song
Comment: Kenji Mizoguchi's final film before his death at age 58. This movie features an all-star Japanese cast (Machiko Kyo and Ayako Wakao, to name a few). "Street of Shame," like many of Mizoguchi's movies, focuses on the plight of women in Japanese society. The film chronicles the lives of five prostitutes who work in a Tokyo brothel called Dreamland, an appropriate name indeed. One prostitute named Yumeko dreams of living with her adult son. But that son rejects her because he's ashamed of her profession. Another prostitute named Yorie longs for a happy married life. But her dream also turns into a nightmare. One of the most memorable moments in the film is when one of the prostitutes goes insane. The stories of the women, often heart-wrenching, are told by Mizoguchi with a sense of compassion. The acting is first-rate. Machiko Kyo, who also starred in Rashomon and Ugetsu, gives one of her strongest performances. This movie is a worthwhile addition to any collection of Japanese films. My only real disappointment concerns the soundtrack which I found to be extremely annoying at times.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Another great film by Mizoguchi
Comment: Terrific. The movie was made in 1956, but still appeals us so strong and never obsolete. Original title is "AKASEN CHITAI" means "Red District". The story is about women, who work in brothel in Yoshiwara, the red district in Tokyo right after WW II. At that time Japan was extremely devastated, many women are forced to work as prostitutes to survive and support their families. They have strong pain and sorrow working as prostitutes and you can feel their pain. Acting is terrific especially Machiko Kyo who played Mickey, runaway-turned prostitute from rich family. (You can tell she is from rich family, because she calls father and mother as "PAPA" and "MAMA" instead of "OTO-SAN" and "OKA-SAN") This film is very realistic and gives us a very storong message as same as other Mizoguchi's films and even now same thing happens in some countries all over the world. You should see it.

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