An Inlet of Muddy Water (1953)

Portmanteau films were popular worldwide during the early 50's, and this atmospheric trio of episodes of ascending length reminiscent of Maupassant based on tales by the Meiji period short story writer Ichiyo Higuchi (who died of tuberculosis aged 24 in 1896) was an acclaimed Japanese contribution to the genre.

The cast of characters becomes larger and more intertwined with each episode relentlessly depicting women crushed by the combined dead weight of patriarchy and impecuniousness - in which men tend to appear marginally but (usually with unfortunate results) pivotally - and is rendered bearable to sit through by director Tadashi Imai's dynamic mise en scene and vivid use (particularly in the final episode) of depth of field and by the excellent performances.