BFI FILM SEASON

When a Woman Ascends the Stairs

Film at Fabrica (2 December 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.

When a Woman Ascends the Stairs / Mikio Naruse/ 1960/ 1hr 51 mins/ subtitles/ PG


A delicate, devastating study of Keiko who works as a bar hostess in Tokyo's very modern postwar Ginza district and entertains businessmen after work. Keiko comes to embody the conflicts and struggles of a woman trying to establish her independence in a male-dominated society. 


When a Woman Ascends the Stairs shows the beloved master Naruse at his most socially exacting and profoundly emotional’


Ahead of the film there will be a very special demonstration - details will be announced soon.


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 Ascends 1
Tickets £6.50 / £4.50 + booking fee

Doors & bar open at 6pm, film starts 6.30pm.

Affordable refreshments available on site as well as a selection of Japanese snacks and cups of warming miso soup.

Fabrica
40 Duke Street, Brighton
BN1 1AG
For more information about visiting us please see our Plan Your Visit page.

“When a Woman Ascends the Stairs shows the beloved master Naruse at his most socially exacting and profoundly emotional”

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