Ginza Cosmetics (1951)

In the bustling and vibrant Ginza district of Tokyo, Yukiko, a seasoned geisha, weaves together a life of grace and survival at the Bel Ami bar. A single mother to the bright and spirited Haruo, she navigates the intricate dance of her profession and motherhood, a delicate balance tipped by a past love who abandoned her in her hour of need. As the sun sets and the neon lights of Ginza flicker to life, Yukiko entrusts her son to Kyôko, a younger colleague, or lets him roam the labyrinthine streets, instilling in him a unique wisdom of their world. Haruo, wise beyond his years, knows the men's shoes outside their home signal his mother's company, often the married Mr. Fujimura. Yukiko feels indebted to Fujimura for his assistance during her pregnancy, yet she remains oblivious to the fact that she has long compensated for his support. As she dances in the shifting shadows of Ginza, Yukiko critically evaluates her existence and future as a geisha. The men in her life seem to exploit her kindness more with each passing day, and her boss’s contemplation of selling the bar threatens to upend her world. Her soul yearns for happiness, a secure future for Haruo, and a love that does not wilt under the expectations of her profession. But can such a life—so far removed from the disguises of Ginza—ever be her reality? Ginza Cosmetics paints a poignant portrait of a few days in Yukiko's life, a woman devoted to fulfilling others' desires, only to find herself entangled in the many illusions of Ginza. She stands at the crossroads of her life, caught between the needs of others and her own unfulfilled desires, a haunting reflection of life inside and outside the geisha house.

Ginza Cosmetics is a drama movie featuring Kinuyo Tanaka and directed by Mikio Naruse.

Ginza Cosmetics is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.