EQUINOX FLOWER + THERE WAS A FATHER (DVD + Blu-ray)
Films by Yasujiro Ozu
Yasujiro Ozu's first colour film, Equinox Flower, is a deft comedy that takes an ironic look at the decline of paternal authority. Shin Saburi plays Wataru Hirayama, an old-fashioned father whose outwardly liberal views on marriage are severely tested when his daughter tells him she wants a love-match. Outwitted and outflanked by his wily female relatives Hirayama stubbornly refuses to admit defeat. Ozu's playful use of colour, poetry and arch humour combine to make this tale of old versus new at once deeply moving and razor-sharp.
Paternal authority is unquestionably ascendant in Ozu's powerful war-time drama There Was a Father which is also included here. Shuhei Horikawa (Chishu Ryu) sacrifices his teaching career after an unfortunate accident but refuses to sacrifice the education of his only son.
Special Features
- Standard Definition and High Definition presentations of Equinox Flower and There Was a Father (DVD and Blu-ray)
- Fully illustrated booklet features newly commissioned sleevenote essays by Asian cinema Tony Ryans
- New and improved English subtitles
Japan | 1958 + 1942 | colour + black and white | Japanese language, English subtitles | 118 minutes + 87 minutes | Original aspect ratio 1.33:1
Disc 1: BD50 | 1080p | 24fps | PCM mono audio (48k/16-bit)
Disc 2: DVD9 | PAL | Dolby Digital mono audio (320kbps)
Region B Blu-ray
Region 2 DVD
