Yasujirô Ozu

Cast · Writer · Director

Born

December 12, 1903 · Tokyo, Japan

Died

December 12, 1963

“Although it may seem the same to other people, for me each thing I produce is a new expression and I always make each work from a new interest. It's like a painter who always paints the same rose.” Yasujirô Ozu was a Japanese director widely regarded as one of the most important directors in the history of cinema. He found his passion for film when he saw Thomas Ince's Civilization (1916), and years later began working at Shochiku Studios in Kamata. In 1927, he made his directorial debut with Sword of Penitence. During World War II, he was sent to China, and his cinema changed completely after his return; an existential restlessness permeated his later works. His visual character is immediately recognizable to those familiar with his filmography: static camerawork, low angles, and a focus on everyday life and family relationships. This style has allowed his works to endure over time, as his themes are universal, transcending eras and borders. Some of his works include Late Spring (1949), Early Summer (1951), with Tokyo Story (1953) being one of his best films. He was an observer of the everyday, the passing of time, and the impermanence of life.