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Mono no aware, the transience of Tokyo story

     TOKYO STORY 

Director : Yasujirô Ozu 
 genre  : Drama 
 year : 1953 
What I respect most about Ozu is that he never needed to use murder and violence to tell everything that's essential about human life- Aki kaurismaki

 Mono no aware, the transience of Tokyo story

If you are looking for an action packed film, this is not for you but if your looking for an emotional and simplistic look into morality, then this is exactly what you need. 

To me Tokyo story is not a drama but rather a realistically alluring look at mortality, through the simplistic eye of the director, Yasujiro Ozu .

Tokyo Story deals with every day family relationships, the film follows an old couple that visits their children in the city, but their children have no time for them and treat them like a burden. The only real appreciation they get is from their widowed daughter in- law.

What I admire about this film is the way basic truths are elevated not just in the narrative but also within the cinematic images. Beauty is found within the lingering shots of Japanese scenery as well as the symmetric images, this gives the film almost a dreamlike feeling even though this film has a strong realistic execution. Ozu also places the camera at a low height, this shot is called the Tatami shot, this method gives us the same eye view as a person kneeling on a tatami mat. 

While watching this film you will find yourself slowly falling into the dreamlike images and becoming part of the films world. Ozu makes the characters look directly into the camera this gives the viewer a sens of being apart of the moment. A  luxury that is meant to be appreciated. 


As a viewer you will experience the calmness illustrated in the film but also a range of intense emotions, this is what makes an Ozu film so unique. To me Ozu is the master of simplicity, not just in his forming of normal every day characters, or in the narrative, he also captures realistic emotions about every day life, the essence of morality and the acknowledgement  of a new day, this is Ozu's most powerful tool.  

To me this film embellishes appreciation for every day life, value can be found within the convince of simplicity. 

 “I just want to make a tray of good tofu. If people want something else, they should go to the restaurants and shops.” -- Yasujiro Ozu


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