When a Woman Ascends the Stairs

When a Woman Ascends the Stairs (1960) is a drama directed by Mikio Naruse rated 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.