A movie analysis
https://www.kanopy.com/en/oxy/watch/video/113281 link to the movie
- Use external sources as and where needed.
- EMPHASIS ON:
• Describe the scene where they are riding the bike provide details about the visual, the camera movement the fact that Ozu doesn’t mention that Hottari is engaged and how it’s different from Hollywood movies. Coco cola influence of western culture
• Scene where Shukichi asks his daughter about Hottari, and she giggles and tells him that he engaged describe the scene.
• Her friend asking her to get married.
• IMP: Bou shan angry and how this fun and ligh hearted scene contrast with the scene of her aunt asking her to get married describe in detail. Describe in great detail her mood and her facial expression the angle of the camera etc.
• Her slow walk when she comes back from her aunt’s place compared to her chirpy walk in the start of the film and how it’s the same place, but the emotions are totally different compared to the scenes before. Her disobeying her father
• Her rude behavior to her dad after the ceremony
Sample Answer
The Bike Ride Scene: A Subtle Disclosure and Cultural Contrast
The bike ride scene in “Late Spring” unfolds with a gentle rhythm, capturing the carefree joy of Noriko and her father, Shukichi, as they leisurely pedal through the tranquil streets of their neighborhood. Director Yasujirō Ozu’s signature minimalist style permeates the scene, with static camera angles and a focus on the characters’ expressions and interactions.
Ozu’s decision to not explicitly mention Hottari’s engagement during this scene stands in stark contrast to the typical Hollywood approach. While Hollywood narratives often rely on dramatic revelations and heightened emotions, Ozu opts for a more subtle and understated approach. Noriko’s casual mention of her engagement to a friend, without any fanfare or emotional outburst, reflects the Japanese cultural emphasis on restraint and emotional control.
The scene also subtly introduces the influence of Western culture, as Noriko sips from a Coca-Cola bottle while riding her bicycle. This seemingly insignificant detail hints at the gradual infiltration of Western values and customs into Japanese society during the post-war era.