SANSHO THE BAILIFF

Critic Robin Wood once called this sublime Japanese drama “the greatest movie I have ever seen.” Set in 11th-century Japan, Kenji Mizoguchi’s masterpiece focuses on an aristocratic family that is divided, exiled, and sold into slavery. They struggle to reunite over many years. This deeply moving saga boasts epic sweep and great formal beauty, and advocates persuasively for empathy, justice, and mercy. Cleveland revival premiere. Subtitles. 124 min.