March 22nd 2003 There will be a complete retrospective of all the existing 36 works of Ozu at the upcoming Hong Kong International Film Festival in April: There will also be a special catalogue published for this occasion: Ozu Yasujiro, 100th Anniversary Catalogue Newly penned articles by an international roster of Ozu scholars, Japanese film personalities reminiscence on Ozu, detailed information on all 36 existing titles. 1. Newly penned articles by an international roster of Ozu scholars to commemorate the Master's 100th anniversary, including Sato Tadao, Donald Richie, David Bordwell, Max Tessier... 2. Hong Kong critics on Ozu, with contributions from Freddie Wong, Law Wai Ming, Koo Chong Ng, Shu Ming, etc. 3. Japanese film personalities reminiscence on Ozu, including such long-time collaborators as the scriptwriter Noda Kogo, cameraman Atsuta Yushun, composer Ito Senji, actor Ryu Chishu, and director Imamura Shohei who was Ozu's assistant director at Shochiku, and Yoshida Yoshishige, who, as an angry young man, severely criticized Ozu; newly translated from Japanese into English and Chinese. 4. Detailed information on all 36 existing titles, complete with synopses, stills, crew and cast lists, background information and Ozu's own comments. A major bilingual publication on Ozu scholarship with 180 pages of texts and plates; a must-read for all serious and casual students of Ozu.

February 9th 2003 Below is the paraphrased essence of an article detailing continued Ozu Centenary celebrations in Japan. The article originates in the Asahi Shimbun, evening edition, Feb. 6. 2003 (written by Kawatani Fumio; photos by Yamaguchi Kiyofumi). On Jan 18th 2003 fans of Ozu gathered at his birthplace Fukagawa, Tokyo. They viewed Tokyo Monogatari, enjoyed a symposium, and chattered with one another far into the night. The highest pleasure for people is to have someone to love, and to talk about him or her with those who share that love. Ozu Youth House (Ozu Yasujiro Seishunkan) opened in Matsusaka, Mie at the end of 2002. In 1951 in Matsusaka, Ozu took his co-scriptwriter Noda to the small old Kaguraza theatre and said,"If this moviehouse had not existed, I believe I would have never become a movie director." The Kaguraza and his house were burned down by the great Matsusaka fire in 1951, and nothing of them has been left. That is why the new Seishunkan was constructed like an old movie house. Ozu often featured classmates meetings in his films. In his diary there are many entries on his own classmates gatherings. He dearly cherished his schoolhood memories. His classmate, Mr Okuyama became the Kyoto station master. He remembers: "I could prepare a first class ticket for the night express from Kyoto to Ofuna, but Ozu always politely rejected it and took a seat in the second class carriage. Ozu said he wanted to watch the movements of the fans on the ceiling. The same switch turns all the fans on, but their movements are quite different - one goes around faster, another goes around slower. Each fan has its own character. For all that, however, the time comes only 2 or 3 times a journey when their movements are perfectly synchronised. Sometimes it didn't happen and Ozu was disappointed. Watching from Kyoto to Ofuna gives him a chance to see the synchronisation." Imagine how he watched the fans alone on the night train, and you will find it a perfect image for Ozu, who made every film slightly different in character, with the same gaze on life repeatedly. Please click the thumbnails below to see larger images. [Thanks to Kimitoshi SATO]

February 6th 2003 The 53rd Berlin International Film Festival begins today and runs until 16th February. The Berlinale Stills Dept have kindly provided us with the promotional stills below. These stills will be used to promote their Ozu Retrospective which runs throughout the festival and continues afterwards at the Arsenal Theatre, Berlin. Please click the thumbnail pictures below to see a larger image.

January 9th 2003 Here is a translated press release from Shochiku's www.ozu100.jp website: From left to right; Yamanouchi Shizuo, Sekimoto Jun'ichi, Ozu Hama, Iwashita Shima, Kagawa Kyoko, Oba Masatoshi, Seki Masahiko Press interview for the 2003 Ozu Yasujiro 100th anniversary project: "The 2003 Ozu Yasujiro 100th birth anniversary project was made public at "ADK Shochiku Square" Tsukiji, Tokyo on 12th Dec. 2002. The date fell on his birthday (in 1903) and also the day he died (in 1963). There was an attendance of more than two hundred people. Shochiku Co. is planning various projects in Japan and throughout the rest of the world from 12th Dec 2002 until 12th Dec 2003. Guests for the press interview includes Iwashita Shima, Kagawa Kyoko (both of whom acted for Ozu); Mr Yamanouchi Shizuo, Ozu movies' producer (now president of Kamakura Cable Communications); and Ozu Hama (who is married to Ozu Shinzo, Yasujiro's brother.) Also present was Oba Masatoshi from Film Center, Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, where Ozu films are to be screened in 2003. Shochiku Executives made an introductory speech and explained the project: "Ozu Yasujiro is our national treasure, and we will provide the younger generations both at home and abroad with the opportunity to appreciate his works. We want the fame of Ozu to survive into the 21st century." Iwashita remembers: "When I played the major role in samma no aji, Mr Ozu was very strict on my performance. Tests were repeated more than fifty times at least, and about 100 times on the scene in which I handled the reeled measure after I lost love. But in fact he treated me like he was a very tender father." Kagawa remarks: "More than 50 years have passed already since Tokyo Monogatari was shot, but I remember it as if it was only quite recently. I became an actress because Miss Hara Setsuko was the star I adore most. So I was very impressed for I was blessed to be with Miss Hara in this movie. I will never lose my great gratitude to and respect for Mr Ozu." Mr Yamanouchi produced all Ozu films made by Shochiku with Early Spring as the first one, and was on very intimate terms with him personally: "Ozu films are still brilliant as ever. I hope this occasion will give young people to view them" he said. Oba commemted: "We will show all his films and besides, we are planning to screen other directors' works based on ideas or screenplays by Ozu. And we do hope to unearth some lost films we have lost now." Mrs Ozu Hama salutes: "I am looking forward to what is going on this whole year. I would like as many people as possible to see his films. The whole Ozu Retrospective show is already decided to take place abroad. From Berlin International Film Festival, Hong Kong International Film Festival, and New York International Film Festival, Dieter Koslik, Peter Twee, Richard Penya, director of the respective Festival, have sent the messages to the effect that they may give some tribute to the Ozu's 100 anniversary year." [Copyright Shochiku] [Thanks again to Trond Trondsen & Kimitoshi SATO for their invaluable help during Ozu's centenary year.]

January 8th 2003 Thanks to Trond Trondsen & Kimitoshi SATO for this marvellous snippet from the Asahi Shimbun, Jan. 4, 2003. The brief outline of the article is: "Ozu is the most Japanese in character, but he can be understood beyond national boundaries. I see all families in the world in his films." says Wim Wenders. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Ozu's birth, an Ozu International Symposium is held on 11 and 12 Dec in Tokyo. The latter day falls on his birth and death day. Participants including Wenders, Kaurismaki, Victor Erice, Kiju Yoshida, Shigehiko Hasumi, and Sadao Yamane talk about the 21st century's cinema through Ozu movies. Ozu is said to have directed 54 films, and about 40 existent will be shown at Film Center, Museum of Modern Art Tokyo in Nov. and Dec. And their DVDs and videos will be made from Shochiku Co. From September on, Asahi Shimbun retail shops will sell them. [By the way, Carl Th. Dreyer's films are shown on Oct and Nov in Tokyo.] These are all a part of Asahi Shimbun's cultural activites this year.

January 1st 2003 To kick off Ozu's centenary today I've put a bunch of Ozu MP3s on the RESOURCES page

December 29th 2002 Thanks to Julien Picot and Santi Trullenque for news from Barcelona about the "Filmoteca" of Barcelona (or Barcelona Film Institute)'s almost complete retrospective of Ozu's existing films. Almost 30 films. The first part of the schedule is for JANUARY 2003 and reads: MONDAY 13th Hogaraka ni ayume 1930 TUESDAY 14th Umarete wa mita keredo 1932 WEDNESDAY 15th Seishun no yume ima izuko 1932 THURSDAY 16th Hijosen no onna 1933 FRIDAY 17th Tokyo no onna 1933 (Incomplete: only 47') & Haha o kowazu ya 1934 (Incomplete) SATURDAY 18th Ukigusa monogatari 1934

December 12th 2002 A RETROSPECTIVE FOR YASUJIRO OZU AT THE 2003 BERLIN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL The Berlin International Film Festival is devoting a retrospective to Ozu. "Thanks to the copyright holders Shochiku Co. Ltd., it will be possible for the Berlinale to pay tribute to director Yasujiro Ozu. At the Berlinale Palast, his most famous work Tokyo Monogatari (Tokyo Story) will be screened. Other works by and about Yasujiro Ozu will be featured in various program sections of the Berlinale. An extensive retrospective of his films will be presented following the festival at the Arsenal movie theater. The Berlin International Film Festival is delighted to be able to present this retrospective for the first time. It will do so in collaboration with Shochiku Co. Ltd. and with the support of the Japanese Embassy in Berlin and the Japan Foundation in Cologne. The retrospective will be screened afterwards at other international festivals, for example, in Hong Kong or New York."

November 29th 2002 I wrote to Artifical Eye a few months ago to ask if they were planning any Ozu DVDs in the UK for Ozu's centenary and I was informed recently that Tartan Video (UK) might be putting out TOKYO STORY and maybe a few others in 2003. If you'd like to see them release Ozu on DVD write and let them know!

November 28th 2002 The free Ozu Yahoo group emailing list has just begun to rewatch and discuss Ozu's films to celebrate the forthcoming centenary. They have started with the widely available Criterion DVD of GOOD MORNING (Ohayo). Everyone is welcome, please join in! I have also fixed the second part of the complete texts from the Japanese book "Ozu Retrospective: 90th Anniversary Of Ozu's Birth" (1993) which contains some very interesting insights into Ozu's films. The text is an English translation that was printed alongside the Japanese text. It is not written in the best English but I have chosen to not tamper with it, other than for the occasional spelling mistake.

August 29th 2002 The Berkeley Art Musuem/Pacific Film Archive feature benshi Midori Sawato who will be performing from September 15-17 at the Pacific Film Archive Theater on the UC Berkeley campus. The series will run from September 6 through 27. Details here. Some interesting items include: The Song of Home (1925) and The Water Magician (1933) by Mizoguchi with benshi I Was Born But (Ozu) (with benshi) A Straighforward Boy (1929) Ozu 18 min. Fighting Friends, Japanese Style (1929) Ozu 14 min. Flunky, Work Hard (1931) Naruse 38 min. All are accompanied by live pianist.

August 15th 2002 Yasujiro Ozu features strongly in a major new poll. Sight & Sound magazine (the official organ of the British Film Institute) have released the 2002 Directors' and Critics' poll which is held every ten years and has been running since 1952. Full details can be perused here.

June 11th 2002 Many thanks to Neil Babra for sending me this rare article for the RESOURCES section: "SETSUKO HARA" article by Donald Richie from Different People: Pictures of Some Japanese, Kodansha International, 1988.

April 1st 2002 A site overhaul took place today. Everything has had a facelift ready for Ozu's Centenary in 2003. To celebrate, I have added the complete texts from the Japanese book "Ozu Retrospective: 90th Anniversary Of Ozu's Birth" (1993).

February 7th 2002 Today, Jon Mulvaney of the Criterion Collection in New York announced that: "Criterion has tentative plans to release at least one Ozu title in 2002. I doubt, however, that it will be Floating Weeds. I'm afraid that's all I know at this time."

February 6th 2002 Les Films de ma Vie released a two DVD Box set recently consisting of "Le voyage a Tokyo" ("Tokyo Story") and 'Le gout du sake" ("Autumn Afternoon"). They are PAL Region 2 discs with only French subtitles. Ozu egroup member Michael Kerpan writes: "Tokyo Story looks better than the New Yorker video, but probably not any better (and perhaps not quite as good) as the [newer] Hong Kong VCD. The "Autumn Afternoon" does look a bit better (especially colorwise) than the New Yorker video. There aren't any significant extra materials on either disc."

October 7th 2001 A raft of updates. Firstly there is Chishu Ryu's words about Yasujiro Ozu from the Spring 1964 issue of the UK magazine "Sight & Sound"; Chishu Ryu's obituary from the same magazine in 1994 - both are in the RESOURCES section (Many thanks to Jeffrey Kuo for sending these); the Floating Weeds essay by David Ehrenstein from the Criterion Laserdisc (thanks to Neil Babra). Furthermore, a proper overhaul of the FILMS page has been made; Early Summer Criterion Laserdisc essay by Bruce Eder (Thanks go to Jeffrey Kuo); The Ozu Bibliography: I've made a start with this, I plan to add to it regularly so that it can be somewhere near definitive. I've also had the much appreciated help of Gary Tooze who provided lovely colour screen grabs of Criterion's GOOD MORNING DVD for the STYLE section.

August 29th 2001 Added a scan of the Miyagawa obituary from the UK "The Guardian" newspaper in 1999.

May 14th 2001 Nick Wrigley has reviewed the Criterion Collection DVD edition of OHAYO ("GOOD MORNING") at DVD Times (the largest UK DVD review site). This is the first Ozu DVD to be released in the West and its lack of extras is unfortunate, but the high quality print is remarkable to behold. Click here or on the picture to read it.

January 30th 2001 New Yorker Films have apparently reduced the price of their Ozu on VHS. They are now a quarter the price they were. Let's hope if they eventually decide to release Ozu (or Bresson) DVDs that they aren't $80 too.

August 17th 2000 Fantastic developments at the University Of Tokyo where there is an OZU EXHIBITION and website which talks at length about digital restoration of Ozu's films and a collection of Ozu related materials, including the note-books of Ozu and his longtime cameraman Atsuta.

June 20th 2000 There are currently no Ozu films in print on VHS or DVD in the United Kingdom since Tokyo Story was deleted in 1999. Write to Artifical Eye if you'd like to complain.

June 19th 2000 There is a Yasujiro Ozu email list here. There are currently only eight members - if you can contribute, please sign-up (it's free).

June 10th 2000 Criterion (USA) are to release "Ohayo" on DVD in the next few weeks.

September 10th 1999 Kazuo Miyagawa, cinematographer for Ozu, Kurosawa, & Mizoguchi, passed away on August 7th 1999 (February 25th 1908 - August 7th 1999). Click to see the UK newspaper "The Guardian" obituary.