Certainly Ozu’s lightest film in decades—a far from A Hen in the Wind – this one recalls 1932’s I was Born, but … but with Ozu’s mise-en-scene detail and movement towards those beautifully pillow shots- even if it’s not his most dedicated on either front
Generational conflict again
Comparable to Amarcord in many ways from Fellini (which comes nearly 15 years after of course) as it’s a slice of life of a community (in this case neighbors living in very close proximity) and it’s light, humor driven. There’s not as much nostalgia as Fellini’s film—probably as many fart jokes
Opens on the power lines with steel and you can see the laundry in the establishing shot—goes to the alley next
Playful music- hasn’t had this tone in 20+ years—the score could be from a Tati film or Nino Rota
Love the dresser with a different color for each drawer
Very modern- television. English lessons. Poster of The defiant ones in the house of the neighbor who is progressive
Ensemble- four families shown in first 10 minutes
Brothers in matching sweaters like I was Born, but…
Green teapot unlike the red one in Equinox Flowers
The final pillow shot itself is a joke as it’s Ozu’s go-to laundry pillow shot but this time the inference is that it’s one of the boy’s soiled laundry from trying to fart on command.
Light, entertaining
Recommend/HR border- probably pushed out of the top 10 by a strong year in 1959
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