Message from seun

[Anonymous]

Film: Cafe Lumiere
Director: Hou Hsiao-Hsien
Starring: Yo Hitoto and Tadanobu Asano

As a tribute to Yasujiro Ozu, director Hou Hsiao-Hsien immediately takes us to a scene where Yoko (Yo Hitoto), a young freelance writer, is hanging laundry while talking on a phone. Already, you see Ozu's influence in having the first shot be that of hanging laundry, a particular theme he is famous for. (Trains are another theme, also explored in this film). Yoko contends with her traditional parents by announcing her pregnancy and that she will not marry the baby's father. Her stoic acceptance of her situation is keenly felt by the audience. Feelings are kept hidden or deeply buried--this film is an interesting exploration into the inner lives of the Japanese whose culture promotes ambivalence and promoting the group over the individual. It is a meditative film about how one comes to terms with solitude. Like his predecessor, Hsien focuses on an ordinary life of a person. Rather than sensationalism or epic sagas, the reflective nature of this movie presents a fresh perspective on life and how one comes to terms with being lonely and alone.