Tokyo Story (Yasujirō Ozu 1953) w/ Peter Merriman

Apr 29

Felicia is joined by Peter Merriman to discuss Yasujirō Ozu’s tale about aging parents and their relationships with their older children, in Tokyo Story (1953).

We chat about why Japan original didn’t think they could market this film in North America, and how it eventually became one of the most universal film texts that audiences continue to relate to.

This mark’s the end of the Ozu series, it was an honour and beautiful experience revisiting and watching some of his films for the first time in preparation. There is an Ozu film out there for everyone, and I hope you find it and it changes your life.

Send us your thoughts on the episode - do you prefer Ozu’s colour or black and white film era? Let us know by sending us a message on any of our social platforms or by email: seeingfacesinmovies@gmail.com

Sources:
https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/301-tokyo-story-compassionate-detachment

https://www.criterion.com/current/top-10-lists/371-rashaad-ernesto-green-s-top-10

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/aug/31/tokyo-story-review-yasujiro-ozu

https://www.sensesofcinema.com/2003/great-directors/ozu/

https://www.enotes.com/topics/yasujiro-ozu/critical-essays/lindsay-anderson

https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520396722/directed-by-yasujiro-ozu

https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520296817/transcendental-style-in-film

Previous episode with Peter Merriman:
The American Friend (D.O.P. Robby Müller 1977)

OUTRO SONG:
Tokyo Story Theme by Takanobu Saitô

FILMS MENTIONED:
The American Friend (Wim Wenders 1977)

The Holdovers (Alexander Payne 2023)

Anatomy of a Fall (Justine Triet 2023)

Barbie (Greta Gerwig 2023)

Oppenheimer (Christopher Nolan 2023)