When a Woman Ascends the Stairs (1960)

Immerse yourself in the poignant tale of Keiko, affectionately known as Mama, a 30-year-old widow trapped in the glitzy yet gritty world of Ginza's nightlife. As a hostess, she navigates a life ensnared in a ruthless cycle, her days enveloped in forced cheerfulness around inebriated patrons and nights shrouded in the endless pursuit of money for her demanding family and her own extravagant facade. Keiko's story is a contemplative look into the realities of a bar hostess, a profession often marked by social disgrace and financial instability. As years etch themselves onto her face, Keiko finds herself at a crucial crossroads. She must either venture into the uncertain realm of matrimony, a challenging feat considering her profession's disrepute, become a kept woman, or gamble her future on owning a bar. Each path is fraught with its own perils - the relentless pressure from investors, the familial wolves at her door, and the constant, gnawing debt that never seems to dissipate. Keiko's quiet dignity, a beacon amidst the chaos, draws men like moths to a flame. But beneath their charismatic veneer, do these men hold the promise of rescue or the threat of deeper abyss? Does Keiko, caught in the relentless grip of a system designed to exploit, truly have a say in her destiny? This is more than just a story; it's an exploration of a life lived on the edge, a testament to those entrapped by a system that promises glamour but delivers a fatal blow. It's a journey of a woman's ascent, not just up the stairs, but against the odds of life itself.

When a Woman Ascends the Stairs is a drama movie featuring Hideko Takamine.

When a Woman Ascends the Stairs is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.