The film world comes together to pay tribute to Yasujiro Ozu, one of the most influential Japanese directors, with the premiere of A Neighborhood Story. The 1947 film reaches Spanish theaters in a restored 4K version, just on the day that commemorates the 120th anniversary of the birth and the 60th anniversary of the departure of its creator. Despite generational differences and social transformations, Ozu managed to capture the universal essence of human experiences in his work and has served as an influence on filmmakers such as Martin Scorsese, Wim Wenders, and Wes Anderson. The revival of this classic not only offers the opportunity to appreciate Ozu's cinematographic mastery on the big screen, but also invites new generations to immerse themselves in the timeless vision of a director who has left an indelible mark on the history of cinema.
Starring Chôko Iida (Fantasy), Hôhi Aoki (Late Spring) and Chishû Ryû (The Beginning of Summer), Neighborhood Story is set in post-war Japan, where a man finds a lost child on the street and takes him home. None of his neighbors want to help him until finally, the child is left in the hands of a widow who discovers that her father has abandoned him.
The film marked the return of Yasujiro Ozu after a five-year hiatus, the longest of his career, due to World War II. In the devastating context of post-war Japan, where the country was struggling to rebuild, the film sought to reflect the daily life of the working class. Ozu adopted a distinctive approach by deciding to approach this issue from a lighter perspective, differentiating it from other contemporary works that explored similar situations. With subtle and somewhat ironic humor, the film achieves a perfect balance to move the viewer and, in turn, steal several smiles.
Yasujirô Ozu is considered one of the best filmmakers of all time. He made a total of 53 films, 26 of them in his first five years as a director. History of a Neighborhood can be seen in 4K in Barcelona, after its time at the Cannes and San Sebastián festivals, starting today at Cinemes Verdi.
