Ugetsu Monogatari (Tales of the Moonlight and Rain)

Japan 1953, b/w, 94 min, German subtitles

Amidst the turmoil of civil war in 16th century Japan, two ambitious villagers set out to make their fortune. Obsessed with this goal, they do not care what becomes of their wives. One of the wives is raped and has to become a prostitute in order to survive. Her husband does his utmost to become the vassal of a Samurai. The other woman is killed by soldiers while her husband, blind with ambition, falls victim to Wazaka, whom he believes to be rich. But she is one of the undead and tries desperately – and unsuccessfully – to find true love on earth with him. The dilemmas facing women in society remained Mizoguchi’s main subject throughout his life.