The film, also known as *Ai no korida* or *L’Empire des sens*, is a 1976 French-Japanese co-production directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Nagisa Oshima.

  Set in Tokyo in 1936, the story follows Sada Abe, a former geisha working as a hotel maid who falls in love with the establishment’s owner, Kichizo Ishida.

  The two embark on a flaming romance that gradually evolves into a destructive, all-consuming relationship, driven by Sada’s seemingly insatiable desire to possess the man—a passion for which she is even willing to sacrifice her life.

  The production won the Special Jury Prize at the 1976 Chicago Film Festival, cementing its status as a seminal work of Japanese cinema.

  In its announcement, the Ludwig Foundation included insights from prominent critics and researchers who analyze the film’s depth.

  Regarding the director, it is worth noting that Nagisa Oshima (1932–2013) founded his own production company, Sozosha, and his filmography stands as a benchmark of counterculture and political critique.

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