x Event | National Library Of Australia

Friends of the National Library/Reel McCoy Film Screening


SANSHO THE BAILIFF
(Japan 1954) 124 min. 16 mm

Director: Kenji Mizoguchi
Cast: Kinuyo Tanaka, Yoshiaki Hanayagi, Kyoko Kagawa

Kenji Mizoguchi is considered to be one of Japans greatest directors and Sansho the Bailiff is considered to be one of the best of all Japanese films. The film is named after the villain and based on a 500 year old folk tale that tells the story of an exiled District Administrator, his wife, Tamiki, their young son, Zushio, and younger daughter, Anju, who suffer at the hands of the heartless Sansho. Mizoguchi closely observes the compositional rules of classic cinema. The film, which is set in 11th century feudal times, reflects the director's feeling that humans and nature are the two sides of a coin. To view the film, which has been described as a lament for suffering but which does contain resolution, reconciliation and forgiveness, is to go on a journey of mythical proportions.

Print courtesy of the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.

Entry is free, but you must be a member of the Friends of the National Library or the Reel McCoy Film Society. Membership cards must be shown at the door.  Bookings not required.
 


  • When: 11 Apr 2012
  • Time: 06:00PM – 09:00PM
  • Where: Theatre (Lower Ground One (LG1))