Film clips and article

[Kimberly de Berzunza]

I really enjoyed the film clips and the stylistic aspects, and now I want to see the film all the way through. What I find really interesting in terms of story and perspective, is the mix of modern and traditional, Western and Eastern- how "old" ideas and ways are combined with "new" ones.  I feel like this must really reflect the struggle of mid-20th-century Japan specifically, and more generally, the mid-20th century globally. Older women dress and act traditionally, younger women sometimes do, too, but other times dress and act according to modern expectations or what is deemed acceptable in the West and to the younger generation. I wonder how much of this comes with the occupation, and how much would have happened reagardless just due to changing times and increased global contact.

I found the smiles to be awkward and uncomfortable. In one scene, Noriko is smiling as she tells her father's friend that he is "filthy" and "indecent" for remarrying; the constant warm smile feels misplaced.  In another scene, her father smiles and smiles when the dialogue is kind of sad, regarding Noriko leaving him alone as she will be married off.  I couldn't figure out why there was this disconnect, at least to my interpretation.

I would also really be interested to see his earlier films from before or during the war for comparison. I'm trying to understand what Ozu really wants to say, and what he was forced to leave out or spin due to the pressures of censorship.

In terms of teaching, I'm not sure how much I can use these films because my focus is on Medieval Japan, but I'd like to recommend them as possible extra credit, or maybe start a monthly movie event after school. I also might look for ways to use clips to reflect some issues of culture and change.