The Story of the Last Chrysanthemums
| The Story of the Last Chrysanthemums | |
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Blu-ray cover
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| Directed by | Kenji Mizoguchi |
| Written by |
Shôfû Muramatsu (novel) Matsutarō Kawaguchi Yoshikata Yoda |
| Starring |
Shôtarô Hanayagi Kôkichi Takada Gonjurô Kawarazaki |
| Music by |
Shirô Fukai Senji Itô |
| Cinematography |
Yozô Fuji Minoru Miki |
| Edited by | Koshi Kawahigashi |
| Distributed by | Shochiku |
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Release date
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Running time
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142 minutes |
| Language | Japanese |
The Story of the Last Chrysanthemums (残菊物語 Zangiku monogatari?), also translated as The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum and The Story of the Late Chrysanthemums, is a 1939 Japanese film directed by Kenji Mizoguchi, about a male actor specialising in playing female roles in late 19th century Japan.
Many regard the film as Mizoguchi's greatest pre-war achievement, praising its long takes and mise-en-scène composition.
The film is set in Japan in 1885, alternating largely between Tokyo and Osaka.
Kikunosuke Onoe, generally called Kiku, played (in his movie debut) by the stage actor Shotaro Hanayagi, is the adopted son of a famous Kabuki actor, who is training to succeed his father in an illustrious career. Whilst hypocritically praising Onoe's acting to his face, the rest of his father's troupe deride him behind his back. Otoku (Kakuko Mori), who lives at the father's house as the young wet-nurse of the infant son of the father's natural son, is the only one frank enough to disclose his artistic shortcomings and urge him to improve himself. When Otoku is dismissed by Kiku's family for her over-closeness to the young master, with the potential for scandal, Kiku tracks her down and states that he wishes to marry her. His family is outraged and Kiku is forced to leave Tokyo, taking the train to Nagoya, honing his art away from his father, much to the latter's wrath.
The story jumps by a year. Kiku is acting alongside his uncle, Tamiro Naritaya in Osaka, but remains dissatisfied, and wishes to join a travelling troupe. Then Otoku tracks down Kiku and re-inspires him. She becomes his common law wife and continues to encourage him. When his uncle dies, four years later, he decides to join a travelling troupe and their times together become even harder. A further four years pass and we see Kiku and Otuko on the road, their fellow actors squabbling over small amounts of money. Kiku has changed in character to the point where he even strikes Otuko. She still loves him, but his love has clearly faded. Their position worsens and Otoku becomes very sick.
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Wikipedia