not only my personal opinion, but also the opinion of the assistant director of the film. There is an interview with the assistant director about the film's creative process on the DVD, which is worth watching.
According to the assistant director's speech, Mizoguchi originally wanted to analyze the psychological process of how Dr. Sansho became such a cruel person to slaves, hoping to give a new perspective to this well-known story in Japan. As a result, he was forced to make "The Revenge of the Chef King".
During the filming, Mizoguchi scolded Daying Film Company, "This damn company, they all made me film." The only thing that can comfort Mizoguchi is that in 1971, the "damn" Dayei Company finally closed down, and Mr. Mizoguchi could rest his eyes. (laughs)
Even "Doctor Sansho" wasn't Mizoguchi's original intention. But still a touching masterpiece. The film is a "dramatic and idealized" story of the chef king (and those translated by other names) being abducted and sold into slaves, enduring humiliation to regaining his status, then relying on his identity to liberate slaves, and then abandoning his identity to find his mother. It shows the impermanence of life and the ideal of pursuing the most basic human dignity.
Of course, I believe Mizoguchi will never be satisfied with shooting a simple "dramatic story". I really hope that Mizoguchi can give Mizoguchi a second chance, and let us open up the "onion" of Dr. Sanjiao and reveal the darkest side of human nature.
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