JUJIRO - IN THE SHADOW OF YOSHIWARA
J 1928 - 87 min - German and English subtitles - Admission from 18 years
Director: Teinosuke Kinugasa - C: Kōhei Sugiyama - D: Akiko Chihaya, Junosuke Bando, Misao Seki, Ippei Soma, Yukiko Ogawa and others.
The artistically sophisticated silent film melodrama JUJIRO - the first Japanese film to be released in Germany in 1929 - was met with great enthusiasm worldwide. The director Kinugasa was a great admirer of F.W. Murnau's productions and Karl Freud's unleashed camera. Both influences are clearly reflected in the sophisticated visual design.
The protagonist Rikiya goes to the Yoshiwara entertainment district, where he meets and falls in love with the enchanting Oume. This is where the tragedy takes its course. Rikiya is beaten up by Oume's protectors, blinded and loses his sight. When Rikiya seeks revenge and is hunted as a murderer, he finds shelter with his sister. In doing so, he also brings misfortune to her, as she now has to defend herself against blackmail and intrusions. The film comes alive above all through its expressionistic design and the strong, atmospheric emphasis on light and shadow.
Richard Siedhoff (Weimar) accompanies on the piano.