Princess Yang Kwei Fei (1955)

 Kenji Mizoguchi's "Princess Yang Kwei Fei"


Throughout his long career, Kenji Mizoguchi made only two color films. The first, 1955's "Princess Yang Kwei Fei" centers on a young serving girl who goes from kitchen work to being the new concubine to the emperor. Much like Mizoguchi's previous works, this film's main concern is that of women's role in society and how they are exploited in their roles. 

 The titular Yang Kwei Fei is used by her cousin to influence power and, in doing so, causes political mayhem that ultimately leads to their downfall. Yang Kwei Fei is a servant by the film's opening and a political tool by the film's end. She never truly has agency. Mizoguchi's point remains as clear as any of his other films.

I personally felt the film was a bit uninteresting, although I do get what the main conceit of its story is. I just felt that there was a lack of drama. Normally, I don't mind a lack of drama IF the lack of drama is the point of the story. That being said, the film wasn't a total loss. Mizoguchi is not typically the scriptwriter for his film and with his deft hand, can turn a dry subject matter into a visually engaging piece. Even more so with this film, it was interesting to see what Mizoguchi did with this new color filmmaking technology.



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