Travels with my Film-Life: Still in Japan

Mmmn... we's still here. This time it's 1959 and we are visiting the tight world of a neighbourhood on the outskirts of Tokyo - with all that implies.

It's Yasujiro Ozu's "Good Morning". And I think it's very funny. I love the photography in this one. And sometimes the music reminds me of an Italian film of this period.

The plot very much revolves around two young boys' desire for television; whilst the film itself observes the manners and formalities of neighbourly life - as in the greeting of the title. For one character - polite small talk is the oil that smooths the running of daily life. Certainly, for others, its absence ... causes gossip and suspicion. The film is a delight.

I can't point you to a very good clip with English translation. But try this one here for a flavour of the film.

And if you would like to check my post about Ozu's "Late Spring" - click here.

"Good-bye" or should I say - "Sore dewa".

Travels with my Film-Life: Japan again

The Old Man decides to prolong our stay by viewing Yasujiro Ozu's 1949 film - "Late Spring" the following evening. In part, this is because of comparisons made between "Still Walking" (see previous Post) and Ozu's work.

I find the music for "Late Spring" difficult to cope with. It gets in the way for me, at least initially. And, with the characters, you have to take time to adapt to an older generation of mores and Japanese tradition; for instance - the constant smiling and nodding of the "daughter" lead.

But it's worth the effort. If you manage it - you find that underneath the formality and etiquette you are led into an intimate and surprisingly moving film depicting this small family in post war Japan.

You can view a You Tube clip from Ozu's "Late Spring" by clicking here.