Early Summer

(Bakushu, Yasujiro Ozu, Japan 1951, 124 min., 35mm, Japanese w/subtitles)

Two parents seek a suitable mate for their 28-year-old professional daughter (Setsuko Hara), bound to marry her off before they retire to the country. The two “best” prospects are a respected businessman and a recent widower. Ozu examines in a profound fashion the dissolving traditional Japanese family unit and its waning influence on the most important decisions in life. A certifiable masterpiece in which Hara reprises her famous role as the kindhearted Noriko from Late Spring.