"Actor: Minosuke Yamada"

• Ikiru | DVD | (06/10/2003) from £14.99   |  Saving you £5.00 (33.36%)   |  RRP £19.99

  ""Sometimes I think of my death "" wrote Akira Kurosawa ""I think of ceasing to be... and it is from these thoughts that Ikiru came."" The story of a man diagnosed with stomach cancer Kurosawa's film is a serious contemplation of the nature of existence and the question of how we find meaning in our lives. Opening with a shot of an x-ray showing the main character's stomach 'Ikiru' tells the tale of a dedicated downtrodden civil servant who diagnosed with a fatal cancer learns to c

• The Mizoguchi Collection | Blu Ray | (12/03/2012) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £49.99

  Four films from the celebrated Japanese director.Osaka Elegy: (1936) relates the story of a young woman, Ayako Murai (Isuzu Yamada), who engages in a series of affairs to raise money for her family. Initially, she embarks on a relationship with her boss to obtain the money to stop her father going to prison for embezzlement. However, when she begins a second relationship with a work colleague to try and earn money for her brother and boyfriend, Ayako is in danger of going too far and getting herself in trouble.The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum: (1939) follows Kikunsoke Onoue (Shtar Hanayagi), a young actor who is shocked to discover that people have only been patronising him by saying that he is talented. The only person who seems willing to tell him the truth about his acting to his face is Otoku (Kakuko Mori), a servant his family fire and ban him from seeing due to fear of the scandal a relationship between the pair would cause. Kikunsoke and Otoku leave together and Kikunsoke vows to win back his family's affection by becoming a renowned actor. Sisters of the Gion: (1936) focuses on two geisha sisters who have differing attitudes to men. Umekichi (Yko Umemura) believes so strongly in loyalty that she wants to help her lover, Furusawa (Benkei Shiganoya), when he is abandoned by his wife. In contrast, her sister, Omocha (Isuzu Yamada), thinks that the pair should be seeking out wealthy patrons rather than supporting others and attempts to manoeuvre Umekichi away from Furusawa. Utamaro and His Five Women: (1946) offers a semi-autobiographical portrait of the Japanese artist, Kitagawa Utamaro. Utamaro (Minosuke Band), renowned for his portraits of women, finds many of his subjects in Tokyo's brothels. However, will his philandering ways lead him into trouble?

• The Mizoguhi Collection | DVD | (12/03/2012) from £34.58   |  Saving you £-3.33 (N/A%)   |  RRP £29.99

  Available on DVD in the UK for the very first time. Titles Comprise: Osaka Elegy: Ayako agrees to enter into an affair with her married boss after he promises to support her and her father. The Story Of The Last Crysanthemum: A young actor is forced to deal with his family after he becomes shunned by them over his new relationship. Sisters Of The Gion: Two giesha sisters disagree over how to deal with the men controlling their lives and livelihoods. Utamaro And His Five Women: A great artist lives to create portraits of beautiful women. A world of passion swirls around him and the women all vie for his attention.