A Story of Floating Weeds (1934) + Floating Weeds (1959)
Two Films by Yasujiro Ozu
2xDVD9 | VIDEO_TS | NTSC 4:3 | 01:26:15 + 01:59:09 | Cover + Booklet | 5,45 Gb + 7,72 Gb
[1934] - Audio: Japanese intertitles + Music track + English Commentary track | Subtitles: English
[1959] - Audio: Japanese AC3 2.0 @ 192 Kbps + English Commentary track | Subtitles: English
Genre: Drama | The Criterion Collection #232
In 1959, Yasujiro Ozu remade his 1934 silent classic A Story of Floating Weeds in color with the celebrated cinematographer Kazuo Miyagawa (Rashomon, Ugetsu). Setting his later version in a seaside location, Ozu otherwise preserves the details of his elegantly simple plot wherein an aging actor returns to a small town with his troupe and reunities with his former lover and illegitimate son, a scenario that enrages his current mistress and results in heartbreak for all. Together, the films offer a unique glimpse into the evolution of one of cinema’s greatest directors. A Story of Floating Weeds reveals Ozu in the midst of developing his mode of expression; Floating Weeds reveals his distinct style at its pinnacle. In each, the director captures the joy and sadness in everyday life.