Revered Japanese filmmaker Yasujirō Ozu was born in Tokyo, in 1903. His cinematic journey began in the era of silent films, and it would span decades, culminating in his final forays into the vibrant world of colour filmmaking in the early 1960s. Initially, Ozu dabbled in crafting short comedies, before he transitioned towards exploring more profound and thought-provoking themes in the 1930s. It was during this period that Ozu's signature style began to emerge.
A patient observer of daily life, he delved deeply into the intricate dynamics of family and marriage, with a keen focus on the complex relationships between different generations. Among his most beloved works, Late Spring (1949), Tokyo Story (1953), and An Autumn Afternoon (1962) stand out as timeless classics that continue to resonate with audiences worldwide. In 2012, in a Sight & Sound poll, Tokyo Story was voted the third-greatest film of all time by critics worldwide and the greatest film ever made by 358 filmmakers from across the globe.
Yasujirō Ozu's cinematic legacy endures, a testament to his unparalleled storytelling prowess that has earned him recognition as one of the world's greatest and most influential directors. In the year that marks the 120th anniversary of the iconic Japanese filmmaker, LEFFEST pays tribute to him by screening two of his films in restored 4K digital prints.
