Flowing (1956)

 Mikio Naruse's "Flowing"


There's something very breezy and sublime about Mikio Naruse's 1956 film "Flowing." Set in a geisha house that is slowly fading into obscurity, Naruse's film seems to effortlessly balance focus between his array of characters. The primary characters of the story, Oharu, Otsuta, and Katsuyo, are all played by three of Japan's greatest actresses: Kinuyo Tanaka, Isuzu Yamada, and Hideko Takamine respectively. 

I am not completely sure what makes "Flowing" such an engaging piece. However, I was completely captivated by the lives of these women from beginning to end. On a larger thematic front, the film is about a culture and world fading into obscurity in the form of the geisha house. However, its the characters and their relationships to each other and their environment that really captivates the viewer and keeps the attention. 

For this reason, "Flowing" almost seems like an elusive mystery to me, something that purifies itself through Naruse's expertise in tonal mastery. I think I am just now starting to 'get' Naruse films. It's all about the tone of the film, rather than any significant plot details or larger thematic points. The evocation of a feeling or vibe is what guides you to a deeper appreciation and understanding of the story. 



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