#58
Japan | 92 min.
1.33:1 OAR
colour
monaural
Special Features
• 2 x disc special edition containing new transfers of both Yokihi and Akasen Chitai.
• New and improved English subtitles.
• Full length Akasen Chitai audio commentary and a video discussion about Yokihi by acclaimed Japanese film expert/critic, festival programmer, and filmmaker Tony Rayns.
• Original theatrical trailers.
• 64-page booklet featuring writing by Keiko I. McDonald (author of Mizoguchi), Mark Le Fanu (author of Mizoguchi and Japan), Masako Nakagawa (author of The Yang Kuei-fei Legend in Japanese Literature), ninth-century poetry (A Song of Unending Sorrow) by Po Chü-i, and rare production stills.
The Catalogue
Yokihi
Kenji Mizoguchi, 1955
Set many centuries ago, Yokihi [Imperial Concubine Yang, aka Yang Kwei Fei] recounts the Chinese legend referred to in its title.
In eighth-century T’ang China, widowed Emperor Hsüan-tsung (Masayuki Mori) reigns alone, devoting his life to the composition of music. When he meets and falls in love with a beautiful young woman (Machiko Kyo), who will become his imperial concubine, a tale of political intrigue and rival dynasties is set in motion, with ultimately tragic consequences.
Sumptuously filmed in vibrant colour, Yokihi is the most ancient of Mizoguchi’s costume dramas, yet its central themes of passion, sorrow, and the conflict between love and power remain timeless — it was also nominated for the Golden Lion at Venice.
The Masters of Cinema Series is proud to present Mizoguchi’s films for the first time on home video in the UK — Akasen Chitai is only available as a twinpack with Yokihi.
Only available as part of the Akasen Chitai & Yokihi twin pack:
