Sisters of the Gion (1936)

In the vibrant yet unforgiving Gion district of Kyoto, a tale of survival, loyalty, and ambition unfolds around two geisha sisters - Umekichi and Omocha. Umekichi, bound by the traditional virtues of love and duty, finds herself ensnared in a cycle of self-sacrifice when she offers shelter to her bankrupt lover, Furusawa, who has deserted his wife in the face of financial ruin. Her life becomes a testament to unrequited loyalty as she struggles to uphold her sense of duty, even as her resources dwindle. On the other hand, her younger sister Omocha, pragmatic and cunning, views their situation through a lens of stark realism. She perceives Furusawa as a burdensome parasite, feeding off her sister's unwavering devotion. Omocha, driven by a relentless desire to escape their harsh reality, devises a series of stratagems to expel the hapless businessman from their lives. She believes that their salvation lies not in love, but in the arms of affluent patrons who can shelter them from the storms of poverty and hardship. "Sisters of the Gion" is a vivid exploration of the tensions between tradition and modernity, selflessness and survival, in the heart of Kyoto's historic geisha district. It is a story of two sisters, bound by blood yet divided by their contrasting beliefs, as they navigate the tumultuous waters of life, love, and survival in a world that offers them little mercy.

Sisters of the Gion is a drama movie featuring Isuzu Yamada and directed by Kenji Mizoguchi.

Sisters of the Gion is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Plex, Plex Player and Tubi TV and it's also available on Criterion Channel.