Lady with Seven Faces
Lady with Seven Faces

Movie spotlight

Lady with Seven Faces

1969
Movie
87 min
Japanese

A lovely female thief, and disguise artist, has a great passion for her next big job which she sets up with her right-hand man: She intends to steal 500 million yen of ill-gotten money from the safe at Nitto Textiles

Insights

IMDb7.5/10
Director: Kenji MizoguchiGenres: Drama, Historical

Plot Summary

In feudal Japan, a beautiful and ambitious geisha named Gion rises through the ranks of Kyoto's demimonde. Her life becomes intertwined with various men of power and influence, each encounter shaping her destiny and revealing different facets of her complex personality. As she navigates societal constraints and personal desires, Gion seeks to carve out her own path in a world dominated by tradition and patriarchy.

Critical Reception

While Kenji Mizoguchi's final film did not achieve the same widespread acclaim as some of his earlier masterpieces, 'Lady with Seven Faces' is still regarded as a significant work. Critics often praise its visual artistry and the nuanced performance of Machiko Kyō, though some found its pacing deliberate. Audiences have generally appreciated its exploration of female agency within a restrictive historical context.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its exquisite cinematography and atmospheric portrayal of geisha culture.

  • Machiko Kyō's performance as Gion is lauded for its complexity and emotional depth.

  • Some viewers found the narrative to be slow-moving, focusing more on mood and character study than plot.

Google audience: N/A

Fun Fact

This film is considered Kenji Mizoguchi's final work, completed shortly before his death.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review