When a Woman Ascends the Stairs

The tree sprouts no matter how strong the wind blows.

• 1960
• 1h 51m
• Drama
• 8.0/10

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.