BFI: 32 Ozu Films

[Stefan Andersson]

antnield: according to the review at DVDTimes, the radio play in Equinox Flower is untranslated. Is this where the poem, discussed earlier on this forum (if I don´t misremember), appears? It was untranslated on the Tartan DVD.

MichaelB/the disc´s technical producer: many thanks for clearing up the colour process question and for exhaustive booklet info about materials used.

[antnield]

antnield: according to the review at DVDTimes, the radio play in Equinox Flower is untranslated. Is this where the poem, discussed earlier on this forum (if I don´t misremember), appears? It was untranslated on the Tartan DVD.

Stefan, I didn't review the disc but I can check with Matt Shingleton and get back to you; unfortunately, my copy is still yet to arrive. However, Michael may very well be able to help with this matter too...

[ellipsis7]

The EQUINOX FLOWER recitation & song are translated/subbed (the discs arrived today and I have them on the deck)...

[Michael Kerpan]

The radio broadcast that the Mother listens to (and the Father) keeps shutting off has never been subbed on any version I know of. The words are probably not significant -- but it would be interesting to know what work is being broadcast.

[antnield]

antnield: according to the review at DVDTimes, the radio play in Equinox Flower is untranslated. Is this where the poem, discussed earlier on this forum (if I don´t misremember), appears? It was untranslated on the Tartan DVD.

Stefan, I didn't review the disc but I can check with Matt Shingleton and get back to you; unfortunately, my copy is still yet to arrive.

Matt's confirmed that the poem is translated and updated his review accordingly to prevent any future confusion.

[Stefan Andersson]

antnield, ellipsis7: thank you very much for fast replies and contacting the reviewer. I feel the translation is important for a full appreciation of the viewing experience.

Michael Kerpan: Mother listening to the radio, and Father shutting off, seems like typical Ozu comedy to me. The words spoken would probably be interesting. Maybe booklets for future Ozu releases should include a department for word and fact explanations, AnimEigo-style? Plus similar explanations for already released DVDs, a bit like the Addenda & Corrigenda section on the Letters page of S & S magazine?

[MichaelB]

antnield, ellipsis7: thank you very much for fast replies and contacting the reviewer. I feel the translation is important for a full appreciation of the viewing experience.

But surely if multiple translators have worked on this film on separate occasions and in separate countries and have all independently reached the decision that it's not worth translating the radio section, that says something in itself?

[Michael Kerpan]

I can't imagine that there is much to translate in the words of the chants in the kabuki performance we (intermittently) hear on the radio. I'm pretty sure the joke is visual (and situational). What is important is that the Mother is clearly enjoying the music so much that she resists the Father's grumpiness -- but that eventually his grumpiness is too persistent to overcome. This sequence is one of my very favorite Kinuyo Tanaka moments (love it far more than anything in Ugetsu or Sansho). ;~}

[Stefan Andersson]

MichaelB: Good point in trusting the judgment of translators who have chosen not to translate the radio broadcast. When I wrote about the translation´s importance for the viewing experience, I was primarily referring to the poem read by Chishu Ryu. The online debate re: the lack of translation on the Tartan dvd has stuck in my mind.

Michael Kerpan: good analysis of the scene of the parents listening to the radio. Thanks!

[antnield]

Central Books have An Autumn Afternoon and A Hen in the Wind and Late Autumn and A Mother Should Be Loved listed for 15th May release.

[perkizitore]

That is great, but why do we have to find out that info from retailers? This release window is much smaller than the previous one, so kudos to BFI!

[antnield]

That is great, but why do we have to find out that info from retailers?!

Isn't that pretty much always the case? There's numerous threads that I've started for BFI discs thanks to pre-orders coming up on Amazon or Play or MovieMail. The BFI tend only to send out press releases once the check discs to go with them are either ready or nearing completion.

[RobertB]

I'm excited. So far the releases have been with the main film being something that I already had in an inferior DVD edition. But I have seen none of these new titles myself. Very much looking forward to them.

I think what BFI is doing with the Ozu-films is monumental. It's too seldom one company gets the rights for almost all the films by one director. And even more seldom that they then take such care when releasing them. Thank you very much for your work with this Japanese director who really isn't that well known outside our forums, but whose output is in my opinion worth saving for future generations.

When the series is completed I hope BFI will have enough funds to release a double DVD with documentaries and fragments of lost Ozu films. It would probably be a loss-maker, but a culturally significant one.

[zedz]

When the series is completed I hope BFI will have enough funds to release a double DVD with documentaries and fragments of lost Ozu films. It would probably be a loss-maker, but a culturally significant one.

There's not really that much material in terms of running time, so I was hoping they'd start sneaking these in as extras on the forthcoming sets. Late Autumn / A Mother Should Be Loved would be a good place to start, since the latter film is incomplete.

[knives]

Late Autumn / A Mother Should Be Loved would be a good place to start, since the latter film is incomplete.

How incomplete is it? I want to do as little double dipping as possible and already own the late Ozu boxset so my picking this up is pretty exclusively tied to how good/complete the later film is. Is it done up well enough for it to stand as it's own release?

[zedz]

There are two reels missing, first and last, but it's a great film nevertheless, and what's left runs over an hour.

[Tommaso]

And there's no real alternative to the BFI, as the Panorama disc is silent as in SILENT (even though it's preceded by a Dolby 5.1. trailer....). Always assuming that the BFI is providing a soundtrack, which I have no doubt about.

[ellipsis7]

The remaining colour films (excepting END OF SUMMER which is AE) are a no brainer on HD/BR, no matter what previous editions you own (I already have Tartan & CC), while the 'extra' films on SD/DVD will be a clear improvement on the only extant Eng subbed editions from Panorama... With this pair in May. allowing for another couple of Ozu double releases before the end of the year, leaves just seven double discs to be issued in 2012, to make up the full 32 films (16 double releases) promised...

[perkizitore]

I was under the impression that BFI got the rights for End Of Summer.

[ellipsis7]

I was under the impression that BFI got the rights for End Of Summer.

Could be so (Amazon does put AE's disc OOP), still unusual it is as yet the 'missing' colour film in this set, sandwiched as it is between this week's pair, and May's twosome from the BFI....

[Zazou dans le Metro]

When the series is completed I hope BFI will have enough funds to release a double DVD with documentaries and fragments of lost Ozu films. It would probably be a loss-maker, but a culturally significant one.

There's not really that much material in terms of running time, so I was hoping they'd start sneaking these in as extras on the forthcoming sets. Late Autumn / A Mother Should Be Loved would be a good place to start, since the latter film is incomplete.

Unless Criterion come up with a cunning master plan to upgrade and expand I would prefer to stick with BFI to complete a Ozu library.
They are mere confections admittedly but the little compendium cut-ups of Posters/Signs, Trains/Cars, Washing/Poles that feature on the Carlotta sets are quite delightful amuse-bouches. (They can be found I think on You Tube). It may be worth pointing out too that The Carlotta sets have fragment of lost films and some shorts not available on other US/UK editions (yet?).

[Stefan Andersson]

Yes, it would be very attractive if BFI could include the fragments of lost Ozu films. If Carlotta had them on their DVDs they should be available. And of course End of Summer would be very nice to have in the collection also.

Ozu also wrote a screenplay which was directed by actress Kinuyo Tanaka in the early 50s. I haven´t seen it, but a screenplay from Ozu´s prime period could make for a good film which could also be a nice bonus.

[Michael Kerpan]

It would also be nice if someone released Minoru Shibuya's Carrots and Radishes -- Ozu's last project (sketched out right before he became too ill to work).

[MichaelB]

Fulvue Drive-in on Good Morning and Equinox Flower.

[ellipsis7]