Late Spring - Banshun

Japanese film. Directed by Ozu Yasujiro in 1949. Based on the novel by Hirotsu Kazuo. University professor Shukichi (Ryuuchishu) wants his daughter Noriko (Hara Setsuko) to marry, but she has no intention of marrying. So Shukichi lies to her and tells her he is going to remarry, and gets his daughter married. Before World War II, Ozu was highly praised for his depictions of ordinary people. However, the world of this film is far removed from the poor social conditions at the time of production, and Ozu's subsequent works tended to depict relatively wealthy families. Also, although Hara Setsuko is an actress who plays an important role in Ozu's films, this was Hara's first appearance in an Ozu film. This film can be considered a turning point in Ozu's career, and it was a precursor to his postwar masterpieces.

[Hiroshi Ishizuka]

"31 Film Directors of the World: Japanese Film History" (1976, Kinema Junposha)" ▽ "200 Japanese Films: The Best 200 in Film History Series" (1982, Kinema Junposha) ▽ "Gorgeous Shadow Plays - Yasujiro Ozu" by Takahashi Osamu (1982, Bungeishunju)" ▽ "Japanese Film History 2, 3, 4" by Sato Tadao, expanded edition (2006, Iwanami Shoten)" ▽ "Complete History of Japanese Film Directors, Vol. 1" by Inomata Katsuhito and Tayama Rikiya (Shakai Shisosha/Gendai Kyoyo Bunko)" ▽ "Bungeishunju's compilation, "The Best 150 Japanese Films - Based on a Large-Scale Survey" (Bunshun Bunko Visual Edition)" ▽ "Ozu Yasujiro" by Hamano Yasuki (Iwanami Shinsho)" ▽ "The Complete Art of Ozu Yasujiro" by Sato Tadao (Asahi Bunko)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

日本映画。1949年（昭和24）、小津安二郎(おづやすじろう)監督。原作は広津和郎(ひろつかずお)。大学教授の周吉（笠智衆(りゅうちしゅう)）は婚期を逃しかけている娘紀子（原節子(はらせつこ)）の結婚を望むが、彼女にその気はない。そこで周吉は再婚するという嘘をついて娘を結婚させる。第二次世界大戦前の小津は庶民を描くことを得意とし、高い評価を得ていた。だが本作の世界は製作当時の貧しい社会状況と隔絶しており、これ以降の小津作品は比較的豊かな家庭を描く傾向に変わっていく。また、原節子は小津作品で重要な位置を占める女優であるが、原にとって本作が小津作品への初出演となる。小津の作品歴における転換点といえる作品であり、彼の戦後の傑作群の先駆けとなる作品である。

［石塚洋史］

『『世界の映画作家31　日本映画史』（1976・キネマ旬報社）』▽『『映画史上ベスト200シリーズ　日本映画200』（1982・キネマ旬報社）』▽『高橋治著『絢爛たる影絵――小津安二郎』（1982・文芸春秋）』▽『佐藤忠男著『日本映画史2、3、4』増補版（2006・岩波書店）』▽『猪俣勝人・田山力哉著『日本映画作家全史　上』（社会思想社・現代教養文庫）』▽『文芸春秋編『日本映画ベスト150――大アンケートによる』（文春文庫ビジュアル版）』▽『浜野保樹著『小津安二郎』（岩波新書）』▽『佐藤忠男著『完本　小津安二郎の芸術』（朝日文庫）』

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