Ozu and the Poetics of Cinema
The Japanese filmmaker Yasujiro Ozu is not as well known as Akira Kurosawa, but his films are as extraordinary and original as those of his more famous counterpart. David Bordwell has divided this thorough introduction to Ozu's life and work into two sections. The first offers a theory of themes, ideas, and obsessions that run through Ozu's large body of films. The second treats each of Ozu's movies in turn, closely examining their individual particularities. Ozu's films are quiet and methodically paced, but richly rewarding and deeply moving. Rent any one or two of them and then settle down with this book. You won't be sorry. Ozu and Bordwell will introduce you to a new world of human interaction and cinematic storytelling.