The year 1951 is often seen as a turning point in the career of director Mikio Naruse, whose output dramatically improved after years of subpar features during the 1940s. “Ginza Cosmetics” is part of Naruse’s renaissance — a vivid, powerful portrayal of a middle-aged woman whose prospects for happiness and fulfillment are rapidly dwindling into nothingness. The essence of the director’s most celebrated later works, including “When a Woman Ascends the Stairs”, is already present in this heartbreaking social melodrama.
Sincerity is screening at Japan Society as part of the Mikio Naruse: The World Betrays Us program
The excellent, powerfully understated Kinuyo Tanaka plays Yukiko, a bar hostess at the Bel Ami, in the heart of Ginza — the lively entertainment district of postwar Tokyo. Although they are not sex workers, the hostesses working there walk a fine line, encouraging customers to drink and enjoy themselves while sometimes going out with them or entering into relationships.
Sincerity is screening at Japan Society as part of the Mikio Naruse: The World Betrays Us program
The excellent, powerfully understated Kinuyo Tanaka plays Yukiko, a bar hostess at the Bel Ami, in the heart of Ginza — the lively entertainment district of postwar Tokyo. Although they are not sex workers, the hostesses working there walk a fine line, encouraging customers to drink and enjoy themselves while sometimes going out with them or entering into relationships.
- 5/17/2025
- by Mehdi Achouche
- AsianMoviePulse
40-day CoFesta kicks off in Tokyo
TOKYO -- The Japan International Contents Festival, aka CoFesta, officially opened Wednesday evening at the Tokyo International Forum, kicking off more than a month of events that includes the Tokyo International Film Festival, Tokyo Game Show, CEATEC, Tokyo Asian Music Market, Japan Animation Contents Meeting and a host of other festivities.
Although not quite biblical in proportion, CoFesta will run for 40 days and 40 nights, bringing together a broad spectrum of Japanese entertainment content firms with the purpose of promoting them internationally.
Wednesday's opening ceremony featured leading lights from the worlds of Japanese films, games, anime, manga and music. Koji Yakusho, star of "Shall We Dance" and "Sayuri", was introduced as the "main character" of CoFesta, a departure from the cute anime-style characters that are the faces of most events in Japan.
"The way that things have to be designed and made isn't restricted or pre-determined, that's the essence of creativity," said Yuji Hori, designer of the "Dragon Quest" game series.
Although not quite biblical in proportion, CoFesta will run for 40 days and 40 nights, bringing together a broad spectrum of Japanese entertainment content firms with the purpose of promoting them internationally.
Wednesday's opening ceremony featured leading lights from the worlds of Japanese films, games, anime, manga and music. Koji Yakusho, star of "Shall We Dance" and "Sayuri", was introduced as the "main character" of CoFesta, a departure from the cute anime-style characters that are the faces of most events in Japan.
"The way that things have to be designed and made isn't restricted or pre-determined, that's the essence of creativity," said Yuji Hori, designer of the "Dragon Quest" game series.
- 9/20/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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