The Life of Oharu (1952) at Bridport Arts Centre (PG)

Bridport Arts Centre

This epic portrait of the fall from grace of an imperial lady-in-waiting is one of the most poignant and beautiful films ever produced. 

Oharu, a 50-year-old woman living in Edo-period Japan, looks back at her life. Born into a noble family, Oharu sees how her slide into prostitution has been governed by callous and cruel men. Kinuyo Tanaka gives a remarkable performance, never allowing Oharu to come across just as a victim and transforms her into one of cinema’s most unforgettable characters.

Mizoguchi is famous for his nuanced portrayals of women’s lives and for implicitly questioning their second-class status in Japanese society. His graceful direction and the beauty of his compositions that resemble classic Japanese art, make this the subtlest of melodramas – but also one of the most heartbreaking.

Japan 1952. Director Kenji Mizoguchi. With Kinuyo Tanaka, Toshiro Mifune. 136 mins. PG

This is one of 6 films showing at BAC as part of Too Much: Melodrama on Film, a season organised by the BFI and the Film Audience Network. The season will be screening at cinemas across the UK during autumn 2025.

Special offer
Buy tickets for 5 or more films and receive a 25% discount.
All tickets will need to be purchased at the same time. This offer only applies to full priced tickets in the Sep-Dec 2025 programme and cannot be used in conjunction with other offers (eg BAC Supporters’ discount). Offer excludes Metropolis and Met Opera broadcasts.

Saturday 15 November at 2.30pm

Ticket Prices from £4.00 to £7.00

Tickets available from Bridport Tourist Information Centre, Bridport Town Hall, South Street DT6 3LF. Tel: 01308 424901 or www.bridport-arts.com