Set against the backdrop of an imperial victory in the civil war leading up to the Meiji Restoration, Fallen Blossoms tells the story of the sorrows of women in a geisha house in Kyoto by recounting the relationships of its inhabitants.
Acting
Ranko Hanai's restrained devastation — she barely moves and destroys you.
Cinematography
Claustrophobic compositions that trap you in the geisha house too.
Production
Incredible 1938 recreation of 1860s Kyoto on clearly limited budget.
Director
Tamizo Ishida
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Made in 1938, this quietly subverts imperial propaganda by showing 'victory' as women's abandonment. The censors missed it.
Director Tamizo Ishida was primarily a screenwriter; this was his only directorial credit. He peaked at one and dipped.
JP
