"I Was Born, But..." (Original title: "Otona no miru ehon - Umarete wa mita keredo") (1932) is a Japanese silent directed by Yasujirô Ozu, and now has the distinction of being one of the most famous comedies of silent film world-wide. There are four main stars, the family comprised of the father, Yoshi, played by Tatsuo Saitô, the mother, Haha, played by Mitsuko Yoshikawa, and their two sons, ten year old Ryoichi, played by Hideo Sugawara, and his eight year old brother, Keiji, played by Tomio Aoki. The film is critiqued as light comedic/dramatic social satire, which it is; but as I watched, it became for me the simple revelation - which wasn't any revelation, really - that boys all over the world are, have been, have always been, and probably will remain, perhaps always, the same, no matter the culture; and that families are basically the same, too. Though there are several others in the film, and they add wonderfully to this very naturalistic telling, the family, especially the boys, make the story roll forward. Frankly, nothing's changed much. Boys still run into the neighborhood/school bully, they learn what social status is, they become ingrained in being part of the family social status, they imitate all around them, and brothers do what brothers do yet, behave at eight and ten both naively and naturally, usually trying to "fit in", by hook or by crook, possibly trying to be "top of the lot", but if that is not possible, at least "in the flow". The boys eventually join in what seems to be its own clique. School hasn't changed any, either, except most today do not have to dress in a school tunic of any sort, coat or hat. One of the boys in the school, Taro, played by Seichi Katô, always is dressed in a nice, rather formal, black suit, as he is the son of many of the boys' employer, Mr. Iwasaki, played by Takeshi Sakamoto. Station. Station. Station. Frankly, I felt as if I were back in grade school and junior high as I watched this. Also stated is the fact that "you boys will have a better chance if we raise you in the suburbs"; this, as opposed to the big city, Tokyo.
As I began to watch, it took me about five minutes to begin to really get into this thing. What kept me watching was the sets. All were genuine, nothing built for the film. It was very, very captivating. But as I got accustomed to the story, it not only began to be equally captivating, but it grabbed me, pulled me into it, and with a smile, to boot! It has some very funny moments, almost always charming moments, and some very realistic scenes of simply existing, or what it takes to exist in this world. Ozu has done this remarkably well. This film has been a classic for years. It certainly remains one. Highly recommended if you've never seen it.
I must add that the boys, Hideo Sugawara and Tomio Aoki are glorious actors. They seem like real brothers. Aoki is particularly noteworthy. They are among the very best child actors I've ever seen. Their father in the film, Tatsuo Saitô, has moments in the film where he appears to be so skinny that you'd think he was anorexic! That was actually a disturbing thing once in a while. Great film!
As I began to watch, it took me about five minutes to begin to really get into this thing. What kept me watching was the sets. All were genuine, nothing built for the film. It was very, very captivating. But as I got accustomed to the story, it not only began to be equally captivating, but it grabbed me, pulled me into it, and with a smile, to boot! It has some very funny moments, almost always charming moments, and some very realistic scenes of simply existing, or what it takes to exist in this world. Ozu has done this remarkably well. This film has been a classic for years. It certainly remains one. Highly recommended if you've never seen it.
I must add that the boys, Hideo Sugawara and Tomio Aoki are glorious actors. They seem like real brothers. Aoki is particularly noteworthy. They are among the very best child actors I've ever seen. Their father in the film, Tatsuo Saitô, has moments in the film where he appears to be so skinny that you'd think he was anorexic! That was actually a disturbing thing once in a while. Great film!