Did you know that Japan officially turns 2,676 years old today ??? Japan was founded on February 11, 660 B.C. and the accession of its first emperor, Jimmu, occurred on this day also ......
Let that sink in ............
Wikipedia.org Article for the country of Japan:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan
So, let's pick a film that the Japanese hail as one of their greatest of all time in the simple family drama known as Tokyo Story (1953)
Run Time: 136 mins
Genre: Drama
Format: Standard 4:3 Format, Black and White
Director: Yasujirô Ozu
Starring: Chishû Ryû, Chieko Higashiyama and Setsuko Hara
IMDB.com Entry for the film:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046438/?ref_=nv_sr_1
Wikipedia.org Article for the film:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_Story
Wikipedia.org Article for Chishû Ryû:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chish%C5%AB_Ry%C5%AB
Wikipedia.org Article for Setsuko Hara:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Setsuko_Hara
Wikipedia.org Article for Director Yasujirô Ozu:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yasujir%C5%8D_Ozu
Trailer for the film on YouTube:
This is a simple basic story, but what the film delivers is so much more. Director, Yasujirô Ozu, uses many interesting shooting techniques for this film and this film is notable for its use of the "tatami-mat" shot, in which the camera height is low at floor height or eye level and remains largely static throughout. He also breaks the fourth wall a lot by having the actors look straight at the camera during conversations, making this much more personal for the viewers than really what the characters are feeling. Almost every shot is framed by lines, squares and angles and in almost every scene, there are fans being waived by the characters to help explain the temperature and mood of the characters. It is a basic story about an elderly couple that comes to Tokyo to catch up with their children and grandchildren, but unfortunately the family has no time to deal with the aging parents …… a conundrum that ends up being a bad decision by films end. - Phil
Yasujirô Ozu - The Depth of Simplicity on YouTube:
What this film delivers is a whole lot more. It reminds us about how precious our family is and how important it is to spend time with them before time runs out. It also is an amazing commentary on how important understanding history is. One of the main plot lines throughout the film is the ever missing void that is eminent throughout due to a son who was lost during World War II. This film was released only eight years after the war ended and that fact is felt in the film. It is fresh on the characters minds, as well as the film-makers minds and if you try to put yourself into 1953 Japan you can feel the pain of the characters even though they show it with honor, almost a second thought. It is an interesting perspective to view instead of looking at it from the 21st century perspective. See this film. It is hailed as a classic. It appears on numerous top 100 lists and it was voted the greatest movie of all time in Sight & Sound's 2012 director's poll. It is a movie that gives a great lesson on film-making, as well as, a history lesson and a reminder of how important family is. - Phil
Tokyo Story - Critics' Picks - The New York Times on YouTube:
Click the link below at GoWatchIt.com to see where you can stream or watch Tokyo Story (1953) online or on TV right now:
http://gowatchit.com/movies/tokyo-story-6007
Or check out TVGuide.com to see if this film is playing on TV/Cable in your area:
http://www.tvguide.com/movies/tokyo-story/120778/
Check back in tomorrow ......................
For our next Film of the Day .....................
No comments:
Post a Comment