Tokyo-Ga
Dir: Wim Wenders
1985
****
Tokyo-Ga is made out of love for the great director Yasujiro Ozu and raises the Question - is there anything left of his world? The simple answer is no, not really, but little reminders like the little boy at the train station who refuses to stand, reminding Wenders (and most fans I'd imagine) of many of the young characters in Ozu's films, really do make this film what it is. It's a love letter written out of the greatest respect and gratitude. Okay, it does get a little self indulgent at times, that seems to be quite typical of Wender's documentary projects but it's very moving towards the end, particularly during the emotional interview with Ozu's regular camera man. That scene alone makes it worth a watch, although you should probably see a least a couple of Ozu's classics first. It's interesting to now watch this film as a document of 1985's Tokyo, sadly even more of Ozu's world has gone but this great document is now a capsule of a time, an idea and a way of life. Two levels of nostalgia in just one film.