Japanese film director Kenji Mizoguchi was admired by the likes of Orson Welles, Jean-Luc Godard and Akira Kurosawa for his work. He began his career with remakes of German Expressionistic films and adaptations of O’Neill and Tolstoy. Later he moved towards realism, spending much time documenting Japan’s change from feudalism into modernism and he would spend much of his film career exploring social and political issues of the day.

One of his older films, The Downfall of Osen focuses on one of the issues that intrigued Mizoguchi for all of his career, the struggles of a “fallen woman” to cope with the world that imprisons and debases them. Isuzo Yamada portrays the abused mistress of a den of thieves who seeks redemption through her love of a young man who dreams of becoming a doctor.

The silent film is accompanied by a live music and sound score featuring an English language translation of the benshi – the live soundtrack given to Japanese silent films. Seattle’s Aono Jikken Ensemble return from touring with quirky Canadian director Guy Maddin’s film Brand Upon the Brain to lend their talents to The Downfall of Osen.

This special event is one night only, so don’t delay in getting your tickets. It plays SIFF Cinema on Sunday, November 15, 7:00 pm.