Watch Flowing

Flowing is a 1956 film directed by Mikio Naruse and starring Kinuyo Tanaka, Isuzu Yamada, and Hideko Takamine. The movie tells the story of a group of women who have been working in a geisha house for decades. The geisha house, located in Tokyo, is owned by Otsuta (Isuzu Yamada), a former geisha who has now become a successful businesswoman. She has built the geisha house from scratch and managed it successfully for years.

The movie opens on the day of the annual memorial service for the deceased owner of the geisha house, who had passed away the previous year. Otsuta prepares for the ceremony while the other geishas get ready for the day's work. Among the geishas is Rika (Kinuyo Tanaka), who has been working at the geisha house for the past twenty years. Rika is one of the senior geishas at the house, and she is respected by both the other geishas and the customers.

However, Rika's life takes a turn when her former lover, a married man, comes to visit the geisha house. This visit brings back old memories and emotions, and Rika finds herself struggling to come to terms with her past. Meanwhile, another geisha, Katsuyo (Hideko Takamine), is faced with a similar dilemma when she finds out that her father is seriously ill.

The film explores the lives of these women as they navigate the challenges of their profession and personal lives. It depicts the geisha house as a place where traditional values and customs clash with modernity and changing times. The geishas are caught between the demands of their work and their personal desires, trying to maintain a delicate balance between the two.

The film also touches on the issue of aging and the challenges faced by women as they grow older. The geishas are aware that their days as geishas are numbered, and they struggle to find a way to carry on with their lives once their career comes to an end. Otsuta is aware of this predicament and tries to help the geishas in whatever way she can. She takes Katsuyo under her wing and teaches her about business, hoping that she will be able to start a new life after she retires.

Despite the serious themes explored in the film, Flowing is not a heavy or depressing watch. The film is beautifully shot, and the pace is slow and meditative, allowing the audience to immerse themselves in the lives of the geishas. The performances by the lead actresses are excellent, with Kinuyo Tanaka delivering a standout performance as Rika.

In conclusion, Flowing is a poignant and sensitive portrayal of the lives of geishas in postwar Japan. It explores the complex and often contradictory nature of traditional customs and values, and the challenges faced by women in a rapidly changing society. Despite being over six decades old, the film remains relevant and resonant, and a must-watch for anyone interested in Japanese cinema or women's issues.