When a Woman Ascends the Stairs

A widowed Ginza bar hostess known as Mama reflects on the exhausting cycle of her working life, juggling appearances, family demands and the passing of her youth.

Mikio Naruse's 1960 drama follows Keiko, a hostess in Tokyo's Ginza district who must appear cheerful and well turned-out for customers while quietly struggling with money and family obligations. Hideko Takamine leads the cast, alongside Masayuki Mori and Tatsuya Nakadai, in this quietly observant portrait of a woman confronting the passing of time.