Description:

In 1959, Yasujiro Ozu remade his 1934 silent classic A Story of Floating Weeds in color with the celebrated cinematographer Kazuo Miyagawa (Rashomon, Ugetsu). Setting his later version in a seaside location, Ozu otherwise preserves the details of his elegantly simple plot wherein an aging actor returns to a small town with his troupe and reunites with his former lover and illegitimate son, a scenario that enrages his current mistress and results in heartbreak for all. Together, the films offer a unique glimpse into the evolution of one of cinema’s greatest directors. A Story of Floating Weeds reveals Ozu in the midst of developing his mode of expression; Floating Weeds reveals his distinct style at its pinnacle. In each, the director captures the joy and sadness in everyday life.

Disc One A Story of Floating Weeds:

• New high-definition digital transfer, with restored image and sound
• Audio commentary by Japanese-film historian Donald Richie
• New score by composer Donald Sosin
• New and improved English subtitle translation by Donald Richie
• Optimal image quality: RSDL dual-layer edition

Disc Two Floating Weeds:

• New high-definition digital transfer, with restored image and sound
• Audio commentary by film critic Roger Ebert
• New and improved English subtitle translation by Donald Richie
• Optimal image quality: RSDL dual-layer edition
• Plus: “Stories of Floating Weeds,” an essay by Donald Richie about the differences in Ozu’s two versions of the film