Menu
Copyright © 2019 President and Fellows of Harvard College.
Medium wide shot, down a short hallway, of two women in the kitchen, one cutting a cake and smilingalr

Early Summer
(Bakushu)

New 35mm print!
Screening on Film
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro.
With Hara Setsuko, Sugai Ichiro, Higashiyama Chieko.
Japan, 1951, 35mm, black & white, 125 min.
Japanese with English subtitles.
Print source: HFA

The multi-layered background of Ozu’s second tale of Hara Setsuko’s Noriko is the entropic dissolution of her extended family. She resists the inexorable tide of change by refusing the pressure of her stern older brother (played, unexpectedly, by Ryu Chishu) towards a marriage offer she is reluctant to accept. Early Summer offers a keen and often critical exploration of the Japanese postwar family that sees the different generations choosing their individual needs over the larger group in a series of miscommunications and cross-purposes that are at turns comic and cutting. Yet through the figure of Hara’s Noriko, Ozu also suggests an alternative to the malcontent status quo, embodied in a sacrifice whose full meaning only gradually unfolds. – HG

ORDER TICKETS - JUNE 12

ORDER TICKETS - JULY 30

Image: courtesy Trigon Films

Part of film series

Read more

Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro

Screenings from this program

Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
Late Spring
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1949
Screening on Film
two women in traditional Japanese dress sitting on a mat indoors, looking at the camera

Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
Tokyo Story
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1953
Screening on Film
Two young Japanese women in shirts and skirts sit on stools on the street, slightly smiling and looking at the viewer

Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
Late Spring
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1949
Screening on Film
two women in traditional Japanese dress sitting on a mat indoors, looking at the camera
Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
I Was Born, But ...
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1932
Live Musical Accompaniment by Robert HumphrevilleScreening on Film
Three young boys sitting next to one another, looking off to the side, scowling

Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
Early Summer
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1951
Screening on Film
Medium wide shot, down a short hallway, of two women in the kitchen, one cutting a cake and smiling

Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
Passing Fancy
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1933
Kataoka Ichiro Benshi Performance Live Musical AccompanimentScreening on Film15$$15 Special Event
A woman in traditional Japanese dress and a man with a beret, sitting next to each other looking despondent

Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
Dragnet Girl
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1933
Kataoka Ichiro Benshi Performance Live Musical AccompanimentScreening on Film15$$15 Special Event
close-up of a woman behind a man with a fedora, she has one hand on his shoulder and the other points a gun

Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
Tokyo Story
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1953
Screening on Film
Two young Japanese women in shirts and skirts sit on stools on the street, slightly smiling and looking at the viewer
Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
A Story of Floating Weeds
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1934
Kataoka Ichiro Benshi PerformanceLive Musical AccompanimentScreening on Film15$$15 Special Event
two women in traditional Japanese dress stand next to each other, bodies facing sideways and turned toward the camera, one with a cigarette hanging out of her mouth

Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
Days of Youth
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1929
Live Musical Accompaniment by Robert HumphrevilleScreening on Film
a line of youth and adults smiling at the ski slopes

Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
The Flavor of Green Tea over Rice
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1952
Screening on Film
a group of women wearing the same graphically printed traditional Japanese dress

Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
Record of a Tenement Gentleman
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1947
Screening on Film
A mother looks over at her pouting young son
Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
The Munekata Sisters
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1950
Screening on Film
man in a suit sitting on the stairs of a Japanese temple with his head turned toward the woman next to him in traditional Japanese dress, speaking

Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
There Was a Father
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1942
Screening on Film
wide shot of a young boy and older man sitting serenely next to a cliff and a lone tree
Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
A Hen in the Wind
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1948
Screening on Film
a man and a woman stare at each other as he grabs her by the arm

Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
Early Spring
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1956
Screening on Film
a group of young Japanese men and women at dinner gaze at one man and a woman shaking hands over the table

Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
The Munekata Sisters
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1950
Screening on Film
man in a suit sitting on the stairs of a Japanese temple with his head turned toward the woman next to him in traditional Japanese dress, speaking

Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
Walk Cheerfully
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1930
Live Musical Accompaniment by Martin MarksScreening on Film
three men and two women in 30s-era wear stand in the street with serious expressions
Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
The Only Son
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1936
Screening on Film
a man in a hat and a young boy smiling at each other in a country landscape

Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
Floating Weeds
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1959
Screening on Film
a Japanese man and woman in traditional dress look past the camera with concerned expressions

Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
Good Morning
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1959
Screening on Film
two young Japanese boys sit sideways at a desk in a bedroom turned toward and looking at the viewer
Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
Record of a Tenement Gentleman
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1947
Screening on Film
A mother looks over at her pouting young son

Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
Equinox Flower
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1958
Screening on Film
a seated woman in a shiny striped dress looks brightly out at the viewer against a backdrop of decorative narrow wooden beams
Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
That Night’s Wife
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1930
Live Musical Accompaniment by Martin MarksScreening on Film
a man and a woman sit on the edge of a child's bed looking offscreen, shocked

Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
Good Morning
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1959
Screening on Film
two young Japanese boys sit sideways at a desk in a bedroom turned toward and looking at the viewer

Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
Woman of Tokyo
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1933
Live Musical Accompaniment by Martin MarksScreening on Film
a Japanese woman in traditional dress seated with a somber expression
Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
Tokyo Chorus
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1931
Live Musical Accompaniment by Martin MarksScreening on Film
a young man without a shirt and a military hat on stares blankly next to a mustachioed man with a whistle in his mouth

Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
The Only Son
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1936
Screening on Film
a man in a hat and a young boy smiling at each other in a country landscape
Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
There Was a Father
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1942
Screening on Film
wide shot of a young boy and older man sitting serenely next to a cliff and a lone tree

Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
Floating Weeds
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1959
Screening on Film
a Japanese man and woman in traditional dress look past the camera with concerned expressions
Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
An Inn in Tokyo
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1935
Live Musical Accompaniment by Robert HumphrevilleScreening on Film
a man in white military outfit sitting next to an open door

Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
Late Autumn
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1960
Screening on Film
three Japanese women seated on mats with tea, one wearing traditional dress

Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
Tokyo Twilight
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1957
Screening on Film
a Japanese woman sits facing the viewer, resting her head on her hand which holds a cigarette

Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
The Brothers and Sisters of the Toda Family
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1941
Screening on Film
close-up of a young Japanese woman resting her head on the shoulder of a young Japanese man

Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
Tokyo Twilight
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1957
Screening on Film
a Japanese woman sits facing the viewer, resting her head on her hand which holds a cigarette
Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
The Lady and the Beard
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1931
Live Musical Accompaniment by Robert HumphrevilleScreening on Film
a woman with a cigarette looks provocatively at a bearded man with a pipe

Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
I Flunked, But …
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1930
Live Musical Accompaniment by Robert HumphrevilleScreening on Film

Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
Late Autumn
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1960
Screening on Film
three Japanese women seated on mats with tea, one wearing traditional dress

Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
A Mother Should Be Loved
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1934
Live Musical Accompaniment by Robert HumphrevilleScreening on Film
an upset young man grasps an older woman who also holds his hand
Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
A Hen in the Wind
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1948
Screening on Film
a man and a woman stare at each other as he grabs her by the arm

Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
Early Summer
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1951
Screening on Film
Medium wide shot, down a short hallway, of two women in the kitchen, one cutting a cake and smiling
Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
What Did the Lady Forget?
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1937
Screening on Film
a young Japanese man and woman sit next to one another at a bar looking at the viewer

Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
Where Now Are the Dreams of Youth?
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1932
Live Musical Accompaniment by Robert HumphrevilleScreening on Film
a young man with a military cap leans on the counter of a bar looking at another man in military garb looking down while a woman stands behind the bar, between them

Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
The End of Summer
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1961
Screening on Film
a young woman in Western-style dress and an older woman in traditional Japanese dress lean on a porch railing, smiling and looking out

Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
An Autumn Afternoon
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1962
Screening on Film
a young Japanese woman in traditional dress and a Japanese man in a suit sit at a bar, faintly smiling, looking out at the viewer
Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
Equinox Flower
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1958
Screening on Film
a seated woman in a shiny striped dress looks brightly out at the viewer against a backdrop of decorative narrow wooden beams

Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
The End of Summer
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1961
Screening on Film
a young woman in Western-style dress and an older woman in traditional Japanese dress lean on a porch railing, smiling and looking out
Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
Tokyo-Ga
Directed by Wim Wenders, 1985
an older Japanese woman outside carrying a young child on her back, both are smiling

Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
Early Spring
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1956
Screening on Film
a group of young Japanese men and women at dinner gaze at one man and a woman shaking hands over the table

Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
Café Lumière
Directed by Hou Hsiao-Hsien, 2003
Screening on Film
a seated woman stares off in the distance and in the middle ground a man seated at a table with tea looks off while a young woman in the distance sits next to a window drinking tea

Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
Tokyo Story
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1953
Screening on Film
Two young Japanese women in shirts and skirts sit on stools on the street, slightly smiling and looking at the viewer

Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
The Brothers and Sisters of the Toda Family
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1941
Screening on Film
close-up of a young Japanese woman resting her head on the shoulder of a young Japanese man
Read more
Ozu 120: The Complete Ozu Yasujiro
An Autumn Afternoon
Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1962
Screening on Film
a young Japanese woman in traditional dress and a Japanese man in a suit sit at a bar, faintly smiling, looking out at the viewer

Current and upcoming film series

Read more

Wang Bing’s Youth Trilogy

Read more

Planet at 50

Read more

From the collection – Satyajit Ray

Read more

Mother’s Day
Mini-Marathon