The main feature of Mizoguchi’s films is the combination of the real and the supernatural. But these phenomena are used to explore the theme of love, honor, or simply to tell a story about family and duty.
“Ugetsu” stirs, confounds, and amazes with its beauty, humble and majestic at the same time.
One poor potter suddenly starts earning good money and becomes dependent on unprecedented silver coins. His passion for wealth leads him to the devil’s lair in the form of a beautiful woman. Another idle poor man dreams of becoming a respected samurai. And he suffers the same fate as the first.