It’s back to Japan this week for Alex and Jonathan, but not for anime or Akira Kurosawa. We take a look at three other directors with Masaki Kobayashi’s Harakiri (1963), Yasujirô Ozu’s Tokyo Story (1952), and Hirokazu Koreeda’s Nobody Knows (2004). We discuss various kinds of family drama in Japanese films, the distinction between “big” and “small” movies, and the restraint and poeticism across Japanese art.
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Skip to: Harakiri (3:58), Tokyo Story (20:30), Nobody Knows (37:04) Overall (54:33), Coming Attractions (1:06:03)
Resources referenced in this episode:
- Wes Anderson & Yasujiro Ozu Video Essay
- The Sugamo Child Abandonment Case
- Alex on Twitter: @AlexGeringer
- Jonathan on Twitter: @JSSatchell
Next stop, Mexico!
We’re heading back to the west and looking at these films from our southern neighbors:
- Macario (1960)
- Amores Perros (2000)
- Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
Intro/Outro Music:
Ash by Mike Braudrick