Groundbreaking 'Osaka Elegy' to wrap up Masters of Japanese Cinema series June 2

"Osaka Elegy," one of two films that Mizoguchi Kenji directed in 1936 starring the great Yamada Isuzu, will wrap up the 2015 season's Masters of Japanese Cinema series at 6:30 p.m. June 2 at the Pickford Film Center.

The film tells the story of a young woman who sacrifices herself in order to save her father and brother from financial difficulties. "Osaka Elegy" shocked audiences in the late '30s for its portrayal of a moga (modern girl) who refuses to apologize for her choices. It made the reputations of both director and star, who would both go on to significant careers.

Co-sponsored by Western Libraries and the Pickford Film Center, the Masters of Japanese Cinema series is one of the Pickford's longest-running and most-loved series. Each film begins with an introduction from select speakers, including local professors, artists and educators. "Osaka Elegy" will be introduced by film series curator Jeff Purdue, a librarian at Western Libraries.

For more information about this series, go online contact Jeff.Purdue@wwu.edu.