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FLOATING WEEDS (1959) - Dir. Yasujiro Ozu
One of Ozu’s mature masterpieces, FLOATING WEEDS is a compassionate remake of his silent 1934 film, A STORY OF FLOATING WEEDS.
The film tells the story of an aging actor (Ganjiro Nakamura) who returns with his troupe to a provincial town. There he is reunited with his former lover and his illegitimate son, who believes that the actor is his uncle. The actor’s desire to be with his long-lost family enrages his present mistress, who spins an elaborate web of deceit that leads to heartbreak for them all.
A stirring visual poem depicting the joy and pain of everyday life, FLOATING WEEDS is beautifully photographed in seaside summer colours by Kazuo Miyagawa (UGETSU MONOGATARI, RASHOMON), one of Japan’s greatest cinematographers. Exquisitely restrained and bittersweet, FLOATING WEEDS is a fine example of Ozu’s lyrical melodramas
DVD FEATURESOriginal Fullframe VersionJapanese audioEnglish subtitles
THE END OF SUMMER (1961) - Dir. Yasujiro Ozu
Ozu’s penultimate film returns to the genre closest to his heart - the intimate portrayal of Japanese family life, ex- ploring the breakdown of traditional family values in the face of postwar progress. It owes a great deal to many of his earlier shomin-geki - family films like 'Tokyo Story'. The Kohayakawa family sets about running its sake business, arranging to marry off its youngest daughter Noriko, and exploring the possibility of helping their widowed daughter-in-law Akiko to remarry.
Meanwhile the head of the family, Manbei, sneaks out daily, to visit a former mistress. Manbei’s behaviour upsets his daughter Fumiko, who furiously rebukes him.
When Manbei has a sudden heart attack, recriminations are set aside as the family rally round the ailing patriarch. However, Manbei soon resumes his philandering ways. The passing of the old order and a resigned acceptance of the inevitability of change finds perfect expression in Ozu’s pared down visual style, revealing his characters in both a compassionate and humourous light.
DVD FEATURESOriginal Fullframe VersionJapanese audioEnglish subtitles
THE LADY OF MUSASHINO (1951) - Dir. Kenji Mizoguchi
An atmospheric evocation of post war Japan exploring the climate of social and economic change, the film tells the story of Michiko(Kinuyo Tanaka), a disillusioned young wife, trapped in a loveless marriage to her translator husband (Masayuki Mori). Starved of any real affection, Michiko turns to her cousin (Akihiko Katayama), only to become entangled in a destructive affair. Ultimately let down by both men, Michiko in her desperation decides to take her fate into her own hands.
DVD FEATURESOriginal Fullframe VersionJapanese AudioOptional English SubtitlesBiography on director Kenji Mizoguchi
THE LIFE OF O-HARU (1952) - Dir. Kenji Mizoguchi
Winner of the 1952 Venice Film Festival silver lion award, Kenji Mizoguchi's tragic tale, set in the 17th Century, of a young noblewoman's fall from grace established his reputation as one of Japan's greatest directors. Kinuyo Tanaka stars as O-Haru, a beautiful courtesan who surrenders to her passion for a commoner, played by Toshiro Mifune. As punishment, she and her parents are banished into exile where O-Haru desperately attempts to escape her past. A compelling and powerful critique of feudal Japan as seen through the eyes of a woman, The Life of O-Haru portrays the human dramas and historical settings with unflinching realism and atmospheric detail, demonstrating Mizoguchi's complete mastery of the medium.
DVD FEATURESFullframe VersionJapanese AudioOptional English SubtitlesKenji Mizoguchi filmography |
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