AN ANALYSIS OF THE JAPANESE FILM THE CRUCIFIED LOVERS (A STORY FROM CHIKAMATSU) DIRECTED BY KENJI MIZOGUCHI (1954)
AN ANALYSIS OF THE JAPANESE FILM THE CRUCIFIED LOVERS (A STORY FROM CHIKAMATSU) DIRECTED BY KENJI MIZOGUCHI (1954)

Summary/Abstract: The purpose of the paper is to offer an analysis of director’s Kenji Mizugochi’s Japanese film from 1954 The Crucified Lovers (A Story from Chikamatsu). The main theme of the film is that of the constant struggle of the individuals between reason and passion, or between society’s mindset and their own. The struggle between reason and passion has been around in Western culture since the time of ancient tragedies. It is a source of ethical dilemmas all the more once a society’s mindset is very restrictive, and, once individuals’ mindset does not overlap with the one of society, then the inner conflict the individuals face is all the more pronounced, compared to tolerant, liberal societies of today. While set in an age and culture not familiar for most Western culture members, or extremely different, the idea of a restrictive society is a common one. It becomes easy for the viewer to sympathize with the characters facing these ethical dilemmas in their relationships with the others. The atmosphere of tragedy, the conflict between reason and emotion, the doomed lovers, all help anyone, from any cultural background, resonate with the story of the characters. The analysis is based on a perspective reminding of reader-response criticism which can be applied to the medium of the film as well, since viewers bring their own background into their perception and interpretation of the story.

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