When a Woman Ascends the Stairs (1960)

Keiko, whom everyone calls Mama, narrates her story: she's a hostess on the Ginza, 30, a widow. She describes life's vicious cycle: acting cheerful around drunks, dressing and living well to convey confidence, needing money for these expenses and for her demanding mother and brother, and knowing she's growing older.

Genres: Drama

What to watch after When a Woman Ascends the Stairs

• Floating Weeds (1959) — Ganjirō Nakamura II appears in both
• Throne of Blood (1957) — Ryuzo Kikushima wrote for both
• Ugetsu (1953) — Masayuki Mori appears in both
• The Bad Sleep Well (1960) — Ryuzo Kikushima wrote for both
• A Story from Chikamatsu (1954) — Same feel: melancholy, sad
• Yojimbo (1961) — Ryuzo Kikushima wrote for both