Sisters of the Gion (1936): Plot, Cast & Where to Watch

Name: Sisters of the Gion
Genre: Drama
Released: 1936
Duration: 69 min
Cast: Isuzu Yamada, Yōko Umemura, Benkei Shiganoya, Eitarō Shindō, Taizō Fukami

What Sisters of the Gion Is About

Sisters of the Gion follows two geisha sisters with opposing philosophies: elder Umekichi stays bound to tradition, while younger O-Mocha pushes back against it, though both remain trapped by the same social code. It's the only film for which director Kenji Mizoguchi won Japan's Kinema Junpo "Best Picture" award, and it's considered a landmark for its unusually blunt critique, for its time, of how the geisha system economically and socially exploited women. Who it's for: anyone curious about an early Japanese cinema classic that takes a surprisingly bold critical stance on the geisha system for its era. Who it's not for: viewers wanting a romanticized view of geisha life, since the film shows the system's exploitative side directly.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sisters of the Gion about?

Sisters of the Gion follows two geisha sisters with opposing philosophies: elder Umekichi stays bound to tradition, while younger O-Mocha pushes back against it, though both remain trapped by the same social code. It's the only film for which director Kenji Mizoguchi won Japan's Kinema Junpo "Best Picture" award, and it's considered a landmark for its unusually blunt critique, for its time, of how the geisha system economically and socially exploited women.

Where can I watch Sisters of the Gion?

Sisters of the Gion is available to watch on digital platforms such as Criterion Channel. Current rent and buy options are listed in the "Where to Watch" section on this page.

How long is Sisters of the Gion?

Sisters of the Gion runs for 69 minutes (1h 9m).

When did Sisters of the Gion come out?

Sisters of the Gion was released in 1936.

Who directed Sisters of the Gion?

Sisters of the Gion was directed by Kenji Mizoguchi.

Who stars in Sisters of the Gion?

Sisters of the Gion stars Isuzu Yamada, Yōko Umemura, Benkei Shiganoya, Eitarō Shindō.

What is Sisters of the Gion's rating?

Sisters of the Gion holds 7.4/10 on IMDb and 7.1/10 on TMDB. Its Pulse Score is 73 out of 100.