THE STORY OF THE LAST CHRYSANTHEMUM

The adopted son of a renowned kabuki actor pursues mastery as an onnagata (male performer of female roles) in late 19th-century Japan. After being dismissed from his family for his relationship with Otoku, a caring woman, he leaves Tokyo to develop his craft. Despite years of hardship traveling with theater troupes, Otoku's support helps him achieve success — but his triumph comes at great cost, as he finally gains his family's acceptance and stardom only as Otoku dies, having sacrificed everything for his artistic ambitions.

DIRECTOR: Kenji Mizoguchi | LANGUAGE: Japanese

YEAR: 1939 | RUNNING TIME: 143 minutes | BLACK & WHITE

COUNTRY: Japan | GENRE: Drama