Just as Akira Kurosawa Kenji Mizoguchi alternated films situated in the Middle ages with films situated in present time (that is, his present time). "Ugetsu Monogatari" (1953) and "Sansho dayu" (1954) are two well known films situated in the Middle ages, "A geisha / Gion bayashi" (1954) plays in the entertainment district Gion of Kyoto after the Second World war.
In 1936 Mizoguchi already made another film playing in this district with "Sisters of the Gion / Gion no shimai". Both films are Geisha films but both films are very different from each other and in their turn both of them are also very different from probably the most well known Geisha film of them all "Memoirs of a Geisha" (2005, Rob Marshall).
In both "Sisters of the Gion" and "Memoirs of a Geisha" there is a conflict between the Geisha's. In "Memoirs of a Geisha" this is a generation conflict, the younger Geisha's conquering clients from their more experienced but older collaegues. In "Sisters of the Gion" there is a conflict of characters, two Geisha's having different views on men and the way to treat their clients.
In "A Geisha" however there is no conflict between the older and the younger Geisha. The relation between the two is that of a master and her companion. In this respect the film resembles "Red beard" (1965, Akira Kurosawa), a resemblace on which I shall later spend a word or two.
Central to "A geisha" is in my opinion the development of the profession of Geisha. Important in this respect is that "A Geisha" plays after the Second World war while the other two films mentioned above are situated before this war.
Originally a Geisha was a highly cultural lady companion. The training to become a Geisha was severe and long. Over time and certainly after the Second World war Geisha's more and more became prostitutes in disguise. The dream of the young companion is to become an old school type of Geisha. After she has finished her training it is a great shock for her that the man who financed her education wants to use her "in the modern way". After all she has been just an "investment object".
I mentioned earlier the resemblance to "Red beard". In "Red beard" there is a master - companion relationship between two physicians. The young physician wants above all to make a lot of money but his master teaches him that the essence of the profession lies in helping their patients. In "A Geisha" on the other hand the young Geisha starts with high spirits only to find out that her business is ruled by money. She thereby shares in the disappointment of her master, who initially had tried to frighten her away from the training and speaks of "the dark side of the profession".
In 1936 Mizoguchi already made another film playing in this district with "Sisters of the Gion / Gion no shimai". Both films are Geisha films but both films are very different from each other and in their turn both of them are also very different from probably the most well known Geisha film of them all "Memoirs of a Geisha" (2005, Rob Marshall).
In both "Sisters of the Gion" and "Memoirs of a Geisha" there is a conflict between the Geisha's. In "Memoirs of a Geisha" this is a generation conflict, the younger Geisha's conquering clients from their more experienced but older collaegues. In "Sisters of the Gion" there is a conflict of characters, two Geisha's having different views on men and the way to treat their clients.
In "A Geisha" however there is no conflict between the older and the younger Geisha. The relation between the two is that of a master and her companion. In this respect the film resembles "Red beard" (1965, Akira Kurosawa), a resemblace on which I shall later spend a word or two.
Central to "A geisha" is in my opinion the development of the profession of Geisha. Important in this respect is that "A Geisha" plays after the Second World war while the other two films mentioned above are situated before this war.
Originally a Geisha was a highly cultural lady companion. The training to become a Geisha was severe and long. Over time and certainly after the Second World war Geisha's more and more became prostitutes in disguise. The dream of the young companion is to become an old school type of Geisha. After she has finished her training it is a great shock for her that the man who financed her education wants to use her "in the modern way". After all she has been just an "investment object".
I mentioned earlier the resemblance to "Red beard". In "Red beard" there is a master - companion relationship between two physicians. The young physician wants above all to make a lot of money but his master teaches him that the essence of the profession lies in helping their patients. In "A Geisha" on the other hand the young Geisha starts with high spirits only to find out that her business is ruled by money. She thereby shares in the disappointment of her master, who initially had tried to frighten her away from the training and speaks of "the dark side of the profession".