BFI FILM SEASON

Woman of Tokyo

Archive Film at Fabrica (27 November 2025, 6.00pm - 8.30pm)
Part of Emotionally Driven: Beauty and despair in Japanese Cinema, a series of screenings produced for BFI’s Too Much: Melodrama on film. We’ll be presenting films from Japan exploring defiance and scandal through melodrama and the language of filmmaking.

Presented in partnership with Fresh Perspectives, our young film programmers’ group.


Woman of Tokyo/ Ozu/ 1933/ 45 mins/ subtitles/ 12


Chikako works day and night to pay for her young brother, Ryoichi’s, university expenses. As the wage from her office job does not cover the costs, Chikako also works as a prostitute during the night, which Ryoichi is unaware of. When his girlfriend, whose brother is a policeman, finds out about Chikako's double life the situation spirals out of control. 


Join us for this interactive cinema event which will include melodramatic photo opportunities, Japanese snacks and music.


The BFI's Too Much: Melodrama on Film project is possible with support of the BFI Film Audience Network, awarding funds from the National Lottery to bring this project to more audiences across the UK is possible with support of the BFI Film Audience Network, awarding funds from the National Lottery to bring this project to more audiences across the UK


Heightened emotions, sideways glances and strong shadows, drive the emotional and expressive weight in these Japanese melodramas


Conflicts between the modern and traditional where displays of respect and decency are expected. These films capture where dress codes shift, and women’s values and freedom are challenged.


Other screenings as part of this special programme:


Woman of Tokyo

“A romantic melodrama perfectly put together”

Donald Richie
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