IS OZU THE GREATEST FILMMAKER OF ALL TIME?

First of all, most of you never heard of Yasujiro Ozu, but I'll get into films later after a few alerts on world news.

• Six states will have primaries today, and President Donald Trump, who seemingly has regained influence, will probably continue his success at determining which Republicans will run in the November general elections.  
• His Texas support for Ken Paxton over John Cornyn in particular should be interesting.    

• 
  He last week ended Senator Bill Cassidy congressional career in Louisiana, and Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky might be in trouble.  These two Republicans defied Trump.
• Of course, will there even be elections on November 3?
• 
  The U.S. was ready to again attack Iran, when, on pressure from Middle East allies, he cancelled the strikes yesterday, citing progress towards a deal.  Iran submitted a revised 14-point proposal to Pakistan mediators.  No details yet on what happens to the Strait of Hormuz, or the matter of enriched uranium.

While he remains strong as leader of the MAGA Republican movement, Independents and Democrats, many who voted for him for his second presidency, have soured.  From the most recent New York times / Siena and CBS polls:  Has to do with the current economy and war with Iran. Trump's approval rating hit a second-term low of 37% on NYT/S, confirming the 63% who disapprove of Trump in the CBS poll. 73% of respondents disapprove of the way Trump is handling inflation. Those who have turned are Latinos, independents and young voters who voted Republican during the 2024 General Election. There is another Ebola outbreak across Central and West Africa.  How many have there been?  Only 35 since 1976. The previous one a decade ago killed 11,300. Google AI indicates, though, that there is no fear of a global pandemic. Unlike respiratory viruses (such as influenza or COVID-19) that spread through the air, Ebola requires direct, close contact with the bodily fluids of a symptomatic or deceased individual. Because it does not spread easily through casual contact, standard isolation and infection control measures are highly effective at stopping transmission chains. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

I watched last night The End of Summer on HBO Max because it is rated 100/86 by Rotten Tomatoes, and I had not looked at this streaming channel for two months.  I was away for 50 days.  The film was his next to last, released in 1961.

I almost bypassed this movie because it is directed by Yasujiro Ozu, and my experience in the past was that he had the most boring films.  Yes, this one was similar to the others.  But I hung in there.  Only 1 hour and 43 minutes long.  HBO Max had a few commercials now and then, which allowed me to find a snack or get to the bathroom.  I kept hanging in there, the end was nearing....when I fell asleep.

Mind you, he is famous, and I inquired of Google AI:

Yasujirō Ozu is widely considered one of the greatest filmmakers in cinematic history. His masterpiece, Tokyo Story (1953), was even named the #1 greatest film of all time by directors in the prestigious British Film Institute (BFI) Sight & Sound poll. [1, 2]

Further, that film topped the poll of film directors' choices of the "greatest film of all time."  Roger Ebert described him as the most humanistic director of all time.

Well, who is Yasujiro Ozu?

• He was born in 1903 in Tokyo.  Had five brothers and sisters.
• When he was three, he developed meningitis, and was in a coma for several days.
• In high school, he frequently skipped classes to watch films made in America.  

• 
  At the age of 14 he saw Civilization, and decided that he would become a director.  Rotten Tomatoes reviewers gave it a rating of 83.
• At the age of 17 was thrown out of a dormitory after being accused of writing a love letter to a boy in a lower class.  Remained a bachelor all his life.
• Tried to get into college, but kept failing to gain entrance.
• Through his uncle, at the age of 20, got a job with Shochiku Film Company.

• 
  That year, his family home was destroyed by the 8.0 Great Kanto Earthquake, which devastated Tokyo and Yokohama, killing up to 140,000 people, and leaving 2.5 million homeless.
• Population of Tokyo in 1923 was 2.5 million.
• A larger earthquake is predicted to strike Tokyo, which now has almost 15 million people, anytime soon.
• At the age of 24 he directed his first film, with screenplay by Kogo Noda, who became his co-writer for the rest of their career.
• A year later, made a number of sort comedy films.
• 
  When 27, directed Sochiku's top star, Sumiko Kurishima in An Introduction to Marriage.
• Continued directing, but at the age of 34 in 1937 was drafted into the Imperial Japanese Army, and spent two years in China, surviving several battles.
• He was anti-military in his films after renewing his career.
• In 1943, at the age of 40, was again drafted to make propaganda films.
• Survived the war and destroyed all traces of his war films.
• At 45, moved back in with mother near Tokyo.  Went to work for Ofuna studios.

• 
  From the late 1940s, came his commercial successes, including Late Spring (1949), Early Summer (1951) and Tokyo Story (1953).
• First color film Equinox Flower (1958), followed by Floating Weeds (1959) and Late Autumn (1960).
• In 1959 became the first cinema person to win the Japan Art Academy Prize.
• Continued to live with his mother until 1961, when she passed away.

• 
  His final film was An Autumn Afternoon (1962). Rotten Tomatoes, 95/90.
• How's about this list of best films, from Rotten Tomatoes.

Tokyo Story (1953): 100% Critic Score (widely considered one of the greatest films of all time).

Late Spring (1949): 100% Critic Score.

Early Summer (1951): 100% Critic Score.

Late Autumn (1960): 100% Critic Score.

Good Morning (1959): 94% Critic Score.

I Was Born, But… (1932): 100% Critic Score.

An Autumn Afternoon (1962): Generally rated highly, with strong critical consensus and an average review rating of 90%+. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

• 
  Directed 54 films.
• Was a heavy drinker and smoker.  Died of throat cancer in 1963 on his 60th birthday.
• Shares the grave with mother at Engakuji in Kamakura that just has the character mu, or nothingness.

I've seen parts of three Ozu films.  I might have completed The Tokyo Story, agonizingly.  His movies, to me, are tedious, repetitive, plodding....you get the point.  I think of my favorite Japanese productions, and I would admit that samuri action might have tainted my feelings.  But my view is insignificant in light of  his accolades.  Ozu is among the top filmmakers of all time.

• Here is a beginners guide to his films.
• The top ten Ozu films, ranked.