Following last years German film influenced by Tokyo Story, it seems the French
director Clare Denis has made what looks a very interesting film based on Late
Spring:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/06/movies/06lim.html?hpw

I'm not sure whether its coincidence or not, but I'm curious to see that it is
European female directors who seem most interested in reworking his ideas.

Good day everyone.

I live in Osaka. Last week, I took a trip to Awajishima, an island in the Inland
Sea. Walking through the old shopping district of Sumoto, the town I was staying
in, I came upon lots of old storefronts. It felt like going through a time warp
and coming out in the 50s or 60s.

Here is a picture of a barber shop in the shopping arcade that might make you
think of "Floating Weeds" -- both versions:

http://www.facebook.com/photos/?ref=sb#/photo.php?pid=2635960&id=660660431



- Jason

I'm so happy to find other Ozu enthusiasts-- i just bought the collection Late
Ozu and am enjoying making my through, seeing most of the films for the second
time. but I'm wondering -- i may like early Ozu more...The two silent films I've
seen were just wonderful and great, titles:  Passing Fancy and (argh what's the
title of the one he remade with sound in the 50's) !!

of course, Floating Weeds...

--- In ozu@yahoogroups.com, "sally52556" <smq@...> wrote:
>
> I'm so happy to find other Ozu enthusiasts-- i just bought the collection Late
Ozu and am enjoying making my through, seeing most of the films for the second
time. but I'm wondering -- i may like early Ozu more...The two silent films I've
seen were just wonderful and great, titles:  Passing Fancy and (argh what's the
title of the one he remade with sound in the 50's) !!
>

Hello. My name is Al and I'm a new member. As an admirer of Ozu's films,
I'm glad this group exists.

My favorite Ozu film? Well, I've seen a lot of them and they are so enjoyable
that it's difficult to select just one. However, I will say
that I'm very fond of:  I Was Born, But...
                         Equinox Flower
                         Good Morning
                         An Autumn Afternoon

For me, it's Ozu's methods and the talented stock company of cast and crew
that make his films so enjoyable.

Thanks.

-Al

Good Morning has to be one the all-time favorate Ozu filmsl

Not much activity with the group right now it seems - I'm also a new member.

I hope if there is a Festival anywhere in the world the group will help us
know about it!!

Sarah


> Hello. My name is Al and I'm a new member. As an admirer of Ozu's films,
> I'm glad this group exists.
>
> My favorite Ozu film? Well, I've seen a lot of them and they are so
> enjoyable that it's difficult to select just one. However, I will say
> that I'm very fond of:  I Was Born, But...
>                         Equinox Flower
>                         Good Morning
>                         An Autumn Afternoon
>
> For me, it's Ozu's methods and the talented stock company of cast and crew
> that make his films so enjoyable.
>
> Thanks.
>
> -Al
>
>
>
>
>

Hello and welcome. (Just attempting to be cordial...I don't own this site or
anything.) I suppose, as all things meet their expiration date, this forum also
is fading. I am surprised that there aren't others about Ozu as vibrant as the
Kurosawa forum: http://akirakurosawa.info/

But, then, there is something to work toward with the subject: Kurosawa's
centennial is coming up!

--- In ozu@yahoogroups.com, smq@... wrote:
>
> Good Morning has to be one the all-time favorate Ozu filmsl
>
> Not much activity with the group right now it seems - I'm also a new member.
>
> I hope if there is a Festival anywhere in the world the group will help us
> know about it!!
>
> Sarah
>
>
> > Hello. My name is Al and I'm a new member. As an admirer of Ozu's films,
> > I'm glad this group exists.
> >
> > My favorite Ozu film? Well, I've seen a lot of them and they are so
> > enjoyable that it's difficult to select just one. However, I will say
> > that I'm very fond of:  I Was Born, But...
> >                         Equinox Flower
> >                         Good Morning
> >                         An Autumn Afternoon
> >
> > For me, it's Ozu's methods and the talented stock company of cast and crew
> > that make his films so enjoyable.
> >
> > Thanks.
> >
> > -Al
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>

There is also a facebook fan page for Ozu --- we could all go there, too.


> if this forum is going to be canceled lets exchange email address's so we
> can all keep in touch....no one I know is into Ozu - I need my Ozu friends
> !!
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: yippeiokiyay <yippeiokiyay@...>
> To: ozu@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Monday, October 12, 2009 1:09:35 PM
> Subject: [ozu] Re: hello
>
>  
> Hello and welcome. (Just attempting to be cordial...I don't own this site
> or anything.) I suppose, as all things meet their expiration date, this
> forum also is fading. I am surprised that there aren't others about Ozu as
> vibrant as the Kurosawa forum: http://akirakurosaw a.info/
>
> But, then, there is something to work toward with the subject: Kurosawa's
> centennial is coming up!
>
> --- In ozu@yahoogroups. com, smq@... wrote:
>>
>> Good Morning has to be one the all-time favorate Ozu filmsl
>>
>> Not much activity with the group right now it seems - I'm also a new
>> member.
>>
>> I hope if there is a Festival anywhere in the world the group will help
>> us
>> know about it!!
>>
>> Sarah
>>
>>
>> > Hello. My name is Al and I'm a new member. As an admirer of Ozu's
>> films,
>> > I'm glad this group exists.
>> >
>> > My favorite Ozu film? Well, I've seen a lot of them and they are so
>> > enjoyable that it's difficult to select just one. However, I will say
>> > that I'm very fond of: I Was Born, But...
>> > Equinox Flower
>> > Good Morning
>> > An Autumn Afternoon
>> >
>> > For me, it's Ozu's methods and the talented stock company of cast and
>> crew
>> > that make his films so enjoyable.
>> >
>> > Thanks.
>> >
>> > -Al
>
> .
>
> __,_._,_
>
>
>

Thanks, yippeiokiyay, for the welcome! It's interesting that you mention Akira
Kurosawa. Recently, after many years of procrastination, I finally watched and
immensely enjoyed Seven Samurai. What spurred me to watch Seven Samurai was An
Autumn Afternoon. I like Daisuke Kato's performance in "Afternoon" and wanted to
see his other films. I discovered that he is in "Samurai" and, therefore, I had
a good reason to stop delaying the pleasure of watching that excellent Kurosawa
film. I was delighted that Kato is one of the seven.

-Al




--- In ozu@yahoogroups.com, smq@... wrote:
>
> There is also a facebook fan page for Ozu --- we could all go there, too.
>
>
> > if this forum is going to be canceled lets exchange email address's so we
> > can all keep in touch....no one I know is into Ozu - I need my Ozu friends
> > !!
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ________________________________
> > From: yippeiokiyay <yippeiokiyay@...>
> > To: ozu@yahoogroups.com
> > Sent: Monday, October 12, 2009 1:09:35 PM
> > Subject: [ozu] Re: hello
> >
> >  
> > Hello and welcome. (Just attempting to be cordial...I don't own this site
> > or anything.) I suppose, as all things meet their expiration date, this
> > forum also is fading. I am surprised that there aren't others about Ozu as
> > vibrant as the Kurosawa forum: http://akirakurosaw a.info/
> >
> > But, then, there is something to work toward with the subject: Kurosawa's
> > centennial is coming up!
> >
> > --- In ozu@yahoogroups. com, smq@ wrote:
> >>
> >> Good Morning has to be one the all-time favorate Ozu filmsl
> >>
> >> Not much activity with the group right now it seems - I'm also a new
> >> member.
> >>
> >> I hope if there is a Festival anywhere in the world the group will help
> >> us
> >> know about it!!
> >>
> >> Sarah
> >>
> >>
> >> > Hello. My name is Al and I'm a new member. As an admirer of Ozu's
> >> films,
> >> > I'm glad this group exists.
> >> >
> >> > My favorite Ozu film? Well, I've seen a lot of them and they are so
> >> > enjoyable that it's difficult to select just one. However, I will say
> >> > that I'm very fond of: I Was Born, But...
> >> > Equinox Flower
> >> > Good Morning
> >> > An Autumn Afternoon
> >> >
> >> > For me, it's Ozu's methods and the talented stock company of cast and
> >> crew
> >> > that make his films so enjoyable.
> >> >
> >> > Thanks.
> >> >
> >> > -Al
> >
> > .
> >
> > __,_._,_
> >
> >
> >
>

I think one of the pleasures of getting to know films from this period better is
to be able to spot some of the wonderful actors in different directors films and
to compare how they are used. I've just been reading a really good comparison
(by the critic Joan Mellen) in the way Kurosawa and Ozu used Setsuko Hara in
their films - very interesting and it can cast more light on both film makers.

I agree though with Yippie that this group has been a bit quiet - its a shame
really, because to do something like the Kurosawa forum takes a lot of work and
knowhow (more than I can spare for sure).  But I think that as long as its
ticking over it does its job - its up to members to make it more interesting by
asking more questions!  There are some very knowledgeable lurkers out there.

Philip

--- On Tue, 13/10/09, Al C. <alcarrillo2002@...> wrote:

> From: Al C. <alcarrillo2002@...>
> Subject: [ozu] Re: hello
> To: ozu@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Tuesday, 13 October, 2009, 3:19 AM
> Thanks, yippeiokiyay, for the
> welcome! It's interesting that you mention Akira Kurosawa.
> Recently, after many years of procrastination, I finally
> watched and immensely enjoyed Seven Samurai. What spurred me
> to watch Seven Samurai was An Autumn Afternoon. I like
> Daisuke Kato's performance in "Afternoon" and wanted to see
> his other films. I discovered that he is in "Samurai" and,
> therefore, I had a good reason to stop delaying the pleasure
> of watching that excellent Kurosawa film. I was delighted
> that Kato is one of the seven.
>
> -Al
>
>
>
>
> --- In ozu@yahoogroups.com,
> smq@... wrote:
> >
> > There is also a facebook fan page for Ozu --- we could
> all go there, too.
> >
> >
> > > if this forum is going to be canceled lets
> exchange email address's so we
> > > can all keep in touch....no one I know is into
> Ozu - I need my Ozu friends
> > > !!
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ________________________________
> > > From: yippeiokiyay <yippeiokiyay@...>
> > > To: ozu@yahoogroups.com
> > > Sent: Monday, October 12, 2009 1:09:35 PM
> > > Subject: [ozu] Re: hello
> > >
> > >  
> > > Hello and welcome. (Just attempting to be
> cordial...I don't own this site
> > > or anything.) I suppose, as all things meet their
> expiration date, this
> > > forum also is fading. I am surprised that there
> aren't others about Ozu as
> > > vibrant as the Kurosawa forum: http://akirakurosaw a.info/
> > >
> > > But, then, there is something to work toward with
> the subject: Kurosawa's
> > > centennial is coming up!
> > >
> > > --- In ozu@yahoogroups. com, smq@ wrote:
> > >>
> > >> Good Morning has to be one the all-time
> favorate Ozu filmsl
> > >>
> > >> Not much activity with the group right now it
> seems - I'm also a new
> > >> member.
> > >>
> > >> I hope if there is a Festival anywhere in the
> world the group will help
> > >> us
> > >> know about it!!
> > >>
> > >> Sarah
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> > Hello. My name is Al and I'm a new
> member. As an admirer of Ozu's
> > >> films,
> > >> > I'm glad this group exists.
> > >> >
> > >> > My favorite Ozu film? Well, I've seen a
> lot of them and they are so
> > >> > enjoyable that it's difficult to select
> just one. However, I will say
> > >> > that I'm very fond of: I Was Born,
> But...
> > >> > Equinox Flower
> > >> > Good Morning
> > >> > An Autumn Afternoon
> > >> >
> > >> > For me, it's Ozu's methods and the
> talented stock company of cast and
> > >> crew
> > >> > that make his films so enjoyable.
> > >> >
> > >> > Thanks.
> > >> >
> > >> > -Al
> > >
> > > .
> > >
> > > __,_._,_
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>     mailto:ozu-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>

Well, any question from anybody??
Okay, I ask one if you do not.

Most of Ozu's post-war films have been put on DVD in U.S.
except four of them, thanks to Criterion.
However, only four of his pre-war films made it to DVD so far.
And I think kind Criterion people will eventually make us happy with a good
news.

So my questions are:
Which Ozu's film do you like to have as Criterion's next Ozu DVD release.
And why?

I would like to have

1) The Only Son
2) There was a Father
3) Brothers & Sisters of Toda Family
4) An Inn in Tokyo
5) Woman of Tokyo

"The Only Son" is definitely one of my favorite films.
This genre was called "Haha mono" which meant mother's story.
As you see them in many Japanese films, women had been educated to devote their
lives to their husbands, sons and brothers in a conservative society filled with
sexism like old Japan.
"Haha mono" was usually a sentimental story about how much a mother sacrificed
herself for her kids.
And considering Ozu never got married and lived with his mother for almost
entire his life, it is interesting to know that this is one of only two "Haha
mono" films Ozu ever made, I might be wrong about this, even though you see many
devoting mothers in many of Ozu's films.
Probably Ozu did not want to be too sentimental and the story of "The Only Son"
is much more realistic than average "Haha mono" films.
Despite of mother's dedications, self-sacrificings and high expectations, her
son's achievement turned out to be very limited, and she had to accept it as it
was.
That is definitely an universal theme.
Choko Iida's performance in this film is just fantastic and so convincing.

--- In ozu@yahoogroups.com, Lia Chouiki <maikogirl49@...> wrote:

> Oh I so agree - The Munekata Sisters for sure and The Flavor of
> Green Tea over Rice too !

I would say that I found Munekata Sisters the least interesting of all 37
surviving Ozu films.  More than any other film he made, Ozu was bound to a
literary source (a current best-seller), with a clear directive (from the
producers) to preserve as much incident and dialogue as could possibly be
squeezed into his film.  Thus, this is far more talky than Ozu's norm.  Also, he
did not seem to have had as much rapport with some of the cast as usual.  (He
had last worked with Hideko Takamine when she was 6 0r 7 -- and had never before
worked with Ken Uehara).  The film, while not devoid of interest, feels more
like a somewhat awkward attempt by someone other than Ozu to make an Ozu-esque
film.

Green Tea is enjoyable -- but the male protagonist comes across as
uncharacteristicaly "too good to be true" (which is a bit ironic -- as Shin
Saburi was best known for playing rather peppery characters).  I like the
earlier What Did the Lady Forget? -- which was one of the sources for the later
film.

Criterion was supposed to have released Only Son ages ago. Perhaps they found
the sound recording too poor to work with for a main line release.  If one does
not want to get the HK release (R3 DVD). then one has to hope Criterion will put
out a third Eclipse box set devoted to Ozu.

--- In ozu@yahoogroups.com, "bluelovecat" <bluelovecat@...> wrote:

> So my questions are:
> Which Ozu's film do you like to have as Criterion's next Ozu DVD release.
> And why?
>

I wish I could design a release. I'd love to see a deluxe version of The Only
Son - one with a fairly technical, formally based commentary, Bordwell, or
someone like that... When established directors turned to sound, especially when
they went late, like Ozu or Lang or Eisenstein - very interesting things happen.
They've usually thought it out at length - I'd love to get an edition with a
commentary that went into detail about his use of sound. (Be nice to see
something similar with Equinox Flower, for that matter...)

Now if I were designing the package - I'd pair it with There Was a Father - and
for a bonus, include Kiju Yoshida's Ozu documentary, which emphasizes There Was
A Father.

--- In ozu@yahoogroups.com, "S. Quinn" <smq@...> wrote:
>
> I would buy it!  I haven't seen any of the films in the current
> discussion. What is the url for "Panarma" -- are DVD's available there?

The easiest way for most people to order Panorama's Ozu DVDs is through
YesAsia.com.

MEK

Wow, I did not know so many Ozu's DVDs were available from Hong Kong.
And they are much cheaper than Japanese DVDs, which are usually over-priced.
No wonder some film makers from there have been deeply influenced by him.

Anyway, I think eventually Criterion will release more Eclipse boxes of Ozu,
probably four of his post-war films together and three or four of his pre-war
talkies together.

To be honest, I like to see more Naruse films on Criterion DVD beofre those new
Ozu boxes. Many of his films are good as Ozu's, yet only one of them are
available in U.S.
It is not fair!


--- In ozu@yahoogroups.com, "michaelkerpan" <mekerpan@...> wrote:
>
> --- In ozu@yahoogroups.com, "S. Quinn" <smq@> wrote:
> >
> > I would buy it!  I haven't seen any of the films in the current
> > discussion. What is the url for "Panarma" -- are DVD's available there?
>
> The easiest way for most people to order Panorama's Ozu DVDs is through
YesAsia.com.
>
> MEK
>

Okay, so this is a new question from me.

A while ago, some new members stated that "Good Morning" was one of their
favorite Ozu films.
Actually, Criterion's first Ozu DVD release was this one, and at that time I was
like Hmmmmmm?????
It is still a mystery to me why they chose this one over other his famous films.

"Good Morning" is a light-hearted comedy and generally considered a rework of
his silent classic "I was Born But."
However, "Good Morning" is not just a kids' point of view film, but also got the
interesting relationships of Housewives in a small neighborhood community, and
you see an attractive young woman and man who are probably going to have a
romantic relationship later on too.

Over all, it is an enjoyable film for me and interesting to see more colorful
castings.
Yet I do not think I would choose "Good Morning" as one of my top10 Ozu films.

So anyone, can you tell me what's so good about "Good Morning"?

Thanks for the infos!

Actually I wondered if they were legit DVD or not
as I have heard the copyright violation is a very serious issue in China.


--- In ozu@yahoogroups.com, Barry Blitstein <bbbandbbb2003@...> wrote:
>
> The Panorama films are the ones to get.  They have the Shochiku imprimatur. 
Don't buy BoYing.  The prints are wretched and the subtitles done by computer
program.  There's a major piracy factor to consider when you encounter a cheap
DVD there.
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: bluelovecat <bluelovecat@...>
> To: ozu@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Thursday, October 22, 2009 4:21:42 AM
> Subject: [ozu] Re: Which Ozu's film do you like to have on DVD next?
>
>  
> Wow, I did not know so many Ozu's DVDs were available from Hong Kong.
> And they are much cheaper than Japanese DVDs, which are usually over-priced.
> No wonder some film makers from there have been deeply influenced by him.
>
> Anyway, I think eventually Criterion will release more Eclipse boxes of Ozu,
probably four of his post-war films together and three or four of his pre-war
talkies together.
>
> To be honest, I like to see more Naruse films on Criterion DVD beofre those
new Ozu boxes. Many of his films are good as Ozu's, yet only one of them are
available in U.S.
> It is not fair!
>
> --- In ozu@yahoogroups. com, "michaelkerpan" <mekerpan@ .> wrote:
> >
> > --- In ozu@yahoogroups. com, "S. Quinn" <smq@> wrote:
> > >
> > > I would buy it! I haven't seen any of the films in the current
> > > discussion. What is the url for "Panarma" -- are DVD's available there?
> >
> > The easiest way for most people to order Panorama's Ozu DVDs is through
YesAsia.com.
> >
> > MEK
> >
>

But it doesn't like the Panorama DVD's are available in Region 1 format --
too bad for me, in the United States.

I'm enjoying the comments on Good Morning!


> Thanks for the infos!
>
> Actually I wondered if they were legit DVD or not
> as I have heard the copyright violation is a very serious issue in China.

--- In ozu@yahoogroups.com, smq@... wrote:
>
> But it doesn't like the Panorama DVD's are available in Region 1 format --
> too bad for me, in the United States.

If you love Asian cinema -- you really have to be able to play DVDs from regions
other than Region 1.  Decent all-region DVDs players are now quite inexpensive
-- though you may have to look online to find out the code needed to actually
enable all-region play.  alternately, if you have a PC DVD drive, there is free
(and safe) software that allows one to play almost any DVD.

I didn't buy a DVD player (back in 2002 or so) until I could find one that could
play DVDs from everywhere.

>Maybe no comedy can accomplish that to the same degree.

I say yes and no.
It is true that sometimes Tragedies can convey overwhelming emotions, sensations
and urges to explore our minds.
On the other hand, in American culture, and in Hollywood especially, comedies
can be a great tool to tell the truth that you can not talk about in more
serious forms.
Why do you think "Daily Show" is so popular?

Ozu obviously liked comedies and his "I was born but" showed what a comedy could
do.
I do not call "Tokyo Story" which is generally considered Ozu's best, a Tragedy
but definitely a more serious film compared to some of his other films. Yet I
think films like "Early Summer" and "Equinox Flower" are more Ozu-esque to me,
which do not have strong plots but still have lots of emotions, humors and deep
thoughts on our lives.

One thing I really like about Ozu's films is that I can watch them repeatedly
unlike some other directors' films like Bergman's, which I really admire too.
In a way, I think Fellini's "Amarcord" got a similar quality as Ozu's.

"Good Morning" is a light-hearted comedy, but still got lots of new experiements
like the way to describe relationships of housewives, and a much more intricate
structure than "I was born but" did, even though the former's achivement did not
surpass the beauty of simplicity in the latter.

Again I do not choose "Good Morning" as one of my top10 Ozu films,
but still I enjoy this film and the appearance of Yoshiko Kuga, who said "I
asked Ozu to write a script for me as my part in <Equinox Flower> was much
smaller than Ineko Arima's and Fujiko Yamamoto's. Then I read the one he sent to
me and complained him because it was a kids' movie", worths repeated viewing for
me.



--- In ozu@yahoogroups.com, Barry Blitstein <bbbandbbb2003@...> wrote:
>
> I have an odd reaction to Good Morning.  I've seen it three times and each
time I'm enthralled, but I resist seeing it again for years on end.  As to what
number favorite it is, I can't say.  The problem makes me think of Shakespeare's
Comedies, which are, I think, undervalued relative to the Tragedies.  It may
have something to do with the overwhelming power of Ozu's "serious" films and
Shakespeare's Tragedies to take me on a deeply fulfilling journey.  Maybe no
comedy can accomplish that to the same degree.  I will say I find Edward Yang's
Yi Yi, which owes so much to Ozu, and to Good Morning, a truly awesome film
which transcends genre.
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: bluelovecat <bluelovecat@...>
> To: ozu@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Thursday, October 22, 2009 5:11:18 AM
> Subject: [ozu] Why "Good Morning" ?
>
>  
> Okay, so this is a new question from me.
>
> A while ago, some new members stated that "Good Morning" was one of their
favorite Ozu films.
> Actually, Criterion's first Ozu DVD release was this one, and at that time I
was like Hmmmmmm?????
> It is still a mystery to me why they chose this one over other his famous
films.
>
> "Good Morning" is a light-hearted comedy and generally considered a rework of
his silent classic "I was Born But."
> However, "Good Morning" is not just a kids' point of view film, but also got
the interesting relationships of Housewives in a small neighborhood community,
and you see an attractive young woman and man who are probably going to have a
romantic relationship later on too.
>
> Over all, it is an enjoyable film for me and interesting to see more colorful
castings.
> Yet I do not think I would choose "Good Morning" as one of my top10 Ozu films.
>
> So anyone, can you tell me what's so good about "Good Morning"?
>

No, I am not talking about "The Flavor of Green Tea Over Rice."
Last night I watched DVD "The Taste of Tea" by Katsuhito Ishii,
which really impressed me.

Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NcBL6cYGL4

This film was made in 2003,
yet still got very similar qualities to Ozu's with lots of interesting modern
twists, basically about an ordinary family living in rural area of Japan, going
through daily little things of their lives.
Just like Ozu's, "The Taste of Tea" does not have a strong plot, more like
"slice of life" type film and it is VERY long, nearly two hours long, but it did
not bore me, and it reminded me of some scenes of "Early Summer"and"The End of
Summer", especially the scene of the cremation place.

I am glad to know the film like this still can be made in Japan and find its
audience.
If you are interested, you can watch entire film on YouTube now.
So watch it before it's deleted.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21YoeSAUi54

Hirokazu Kore-eda's film Still Walking is getting the kind of appreciative
murmers reserved for Ozu-in fact, Ozu is the spirit guide through this
gendai-geki home drama in the Ozu fashion of generational divide, regret and
disappointment.

Early in the film we view a vista that takes in the sea and the train tracks
running beside it...and sure enough, we see the first of several trains pass as
the film progresses-pillow shots sraight out of Ozu! Once the sentimental music
kicks in, we cannot help but recall the master.

Although the tatami-mat view is not a prominent feature, and, in fact, the
cinematography is not particularly memorable, other Ozu-like elements of the
visual include the indoor shot with garden vista framed by shoji screens-the
shots displaying the detritus of a family's life-the doctor's former office, the
brickabrack of an unused room.

The family has lost a son who saved another boy. On the anniversary of the son's
death, the family gathers. The sister, with her strange, high-pitched voice
peels daikon at her mother's side in the family home as her mother iterates the
many ways of preparing radish. The dad, looking like a Japanese Colonel Sanders
with his Kentucky Fried moustache and hair is introduced-he is patently gruff
with all. Those at home broaden out to include the husband of the daughter and
her two kids.

At a scene shift inside a commuter train we are introduced to the family's
younger brother-the one who survived. Now about 40, he has just married a widow
and his household includes her son. The son is between jobs and he dreads the
visit to his family home.

Nostalgia, regret, longing for the dead, disappointment, smoldering resentment,
shame, and a past transgression play their roles. The family dines on the
fresh-spattering tempura prepared by the mother. The younger daughter tries to
wheedle an invitation out of the mother for her family to move in. At one point
she talks about pulling down a wall between the living spaces and the old
doctor's office. The mother looks impassive, and the daughter and her brood
depart, leaving the "leftover" disappointment-the son who survives but did not
follow in his father's footsteps, his new wife, and her son-who is mourning
privately, his own loss.

At one point the young boy stands in the moonlight and speaks aloud his wish to
be like his father, to follow in his footsteps and be a piano tuner ..."and if
that's not possible...a doctor". He had had an earlier bonding moment with his
new grandpa, and thought that doctor might not be a bad "backup" career.

Through the one afternoon, evening and morning, we learn of the family's
disappointment...the parents have lost their "best" son, and this is their day
of rememberance. The boy their son saved from drowning comes to pay his
respects-as he had been doing some 15 years. The saved boy is a fat mess who
confesses as he leaves, "I'll never amount to anything".

Later, the leftover son talks to his mother, "Be kind, don't ask him back next
year". But the mother is steely...she enjoys making the fat boy suffer. The
fifteen years of remembering the sacrifice of her son are not yet enough, and
she enjoys making the boy feel pain.

As she enjoys playing an old record that she had heard sung from her husband's
lips many years ago from some woman's room. An old family secret brought out to
cause pain.

It is not that the mother is a bad woman-though she can be cruel. She talks,
while arranging a kimono present ot the new wife, "You should have children
soon." But then, considers the son of the deceased husband and says, "But think
about the boy-better not" as she turns her back to find a sash in thedrawer.
Giving hope and dashing it in two sentences. It's a very cruel scene.

The leftover son, his wife and her son, and the mother all climb the long way to
the cemetary where mother pours ladlefuls of water on the grave stone. "This
must feel good on a hot day". As they descend, a yellow butterfly comes into
view along with a folkism. This becomes a central plot point that circles
memory, longing, hope and fear, and continuity in its fragile orbit. To tell
more would be to spoil the film.

In conclusion, Yoshio Harada is clearly too fine an actor for his brief role as
the father (just meaning here that I sensed that I could happily watch him much
more than this role required of him) the leftover son Hiroshi Abe is quite good
in his role, with a nuanced emotional profile, Kirin Kiki as the mom is
brilliant, with a great presence and fascinating face!

Although Ozu is clearly the undisputed master, Still Walking shows Kore-eda as a
true heir.