The sisterinlaw of director histora kumagi, she made her inaugural film appearance in the japanesegerman the samurais daughter 1937. The actress setsuko hara is now so coupled with her roles in the films of yasujiro ozu that she is often seen as the archetypal ozu female, and her other parts are forgotten. Nov 25, 2015 bestknown for ozus tokyo story, the actress had been a recluse for more than four decades. Ozu captured setsuko hara in certain recurrent images. Celeste ng, ann patchett, min jin lee and others on the books that. Coming full circle from late spring, setsuko hara plays a widowed mother. Everettrex shutterstock in many of her films, haras luminous smile communicates a variety of sentiments sometimes she. See more ideas about japanese film, yasujiro ozu and tokyo story. Her signature character type, variations on a daughter devoted to her parents and home, inspired the nickname that stayed with her until retirement. Dec 03, 2015 behind the scenes of kurosawas no regrets for our youth with hara setsuko many of setsukos movies are available from the criterion collection where trailers and more information can be found. She died back in september, but her family only just released the information. Noriko, in ozus tokyo story, is the quintessential setsuko hara character. A japan society film series looks at the careers of shirley yamaguchi and setsuko hara, including their work in films supporting japans war. The focus is a retired movie actress named chiyoko fujiwara perhaps inspired by the revered setsuko hara, who played a dutiful daughter in the films of yasujiro ozu.
Abomb survivor setsuko thurlow issues call for action in speech at alma mater in canada. May 05, 2011 clip of filming of akira kurosawas no regrets for our youth 1946, starring setsuko hara. No regrets for our youth proposes another setsuko haraa woman who is not in a state of equilibrium, and not much in control of herself. Ozu hara ozu and setsuko hara by donald richie the. In it, she plays a purehearted japanese maiden who attempts unsuccessfully to immolate herself. Setsuko hara biography, movie highlights and photos. She died of pneumonia in a hospital in kanagawa prefecture. A website dedicated to japanese filmmaker ozu yasujiro. Susan rivers author, setsuko toyama author visit amazons setsuko toyama page. Robert gottlieb has been the editor in chief of simon and schuster and of knopf, and the editor of the new yorker. Setsuko haras last major role was riku, wife of oishi yoshio, in the film chushingura 1962. In memory of setsuko hara 1920 2015 from shiro iioka. Setsuko hara, the japanese actress who has died aged 95, enigmatically foreswore the acting profession, walking away from a successful film career in 1963, but remained unforgettable for her.
Setsuko aihara translator of the selfovercoming of nihilism. No matter what external appearance she bares, haras greatness is her ability to project an inner self that prevented her from wearing those styles as if she were at a costume party. The actresses of japanese cinemas golden age were quite a company of heartbreakers. In the west, she is best known for her performances in. Hara s portrayal of noriko her role in three ozu films, which critic robin wood has identified as a loose trilogy built around her finally stands as one of the great portraits of human generosity and selflessness in world cinema. Shes the kind of performer like setsuko hara, the japanese actress to whom the film is dedicated you cant take your eyes off, even when she doesnt seem to be up to much of anything. Legendary actress setsuko hara, who starred in tokyo story and other films by yasujiro ozu and other prominent japanese directors, has died.
And a legend exerts a compulsive attraction for others, whether it wants to or not. Nov 30, 2015 setsuko hara, the japanese actress who has died aged 95, enigmatically foreswore the acting profession, walking away from a successful film career in 1963, but remained unforgettable for her. Yet her career was as varied as that of any actress. And so setsuko hara masae aida continues as a legend to those of her own time and to the young women who came later. It is also an often amusing look at the contemporary mating mores of this fair city, with mr. Setsuko hara, one of japans most beloved actresses, best known for her subtle portrayals of women torn between the demands of family and their own desires in late spring, tokyo story and other films directed by yasujiro ozu, died on sept. Haras portrayal of noriko her role in three ozu films, which critic robin wood has identified as a loose trilogy built around her finally stands as one of the great portraits of human generosity and selflessness in world cinema. The hasty new york times obit for yamaguchi, actress in. Setsuko hara actors and actresses films as actress. Find bio, credits and filmography information for setsuko hara on allmovie comparatively littleknown in the u. His most recent book is a collection of essays, neardeath experiencesand others. Setsuko hara, a japanese actress known best in the united states for her roles in yasujiro ozus films late spring and tokyo story, has died, according to multiple news sources. Dick cavetts top 10 the current the criterion collection.
Nov 28, 2015 setsuko hara, japanese star of films by ozu and kurosawa, is dead at 95 setsuko hara, center, in tokyo story 1953, directed by yasujiro ozu, with whom she had a 12year collaboration. Bestknown for ozus tokyo story, the actress had been a recluse for more than four decades. Nick pinkerton on shirley yamaguchi and setsuko hara at the. During her 28year career at the world bank, setsuko simultaneously pursued formal art education at the corcoran school of art and design in washington, d. Setsuko ono was born in tokyo and grew up between japan, europe, and the united states. Setsuko hara and ineko arima play sisters raised by their father chishu ryu. In the west, she is best known for her performances in yasujiro ozus films late spring 1949 and tokyo story 1953, although she had already appeared in. Setsuko hara biography, movie highlights and photos allmovie. Aside from the elderly couple, noriko is the only good person in the entire film. Setsuko hara celebrity profile check out the latest setsuko hara photo gallery, biography, pics, pictures, interviews, news, forums and blogs at rotten tomatoes. Setsuko hara, japanese star of films by ozu and kurosawa, is. Sep 05, 2015 find bio, credits and filmography information for setsuko hara on allmovie comparatively littleknown in the u. Miss hara passed away on september 5 of this year, according to a statement released by her family today. Clip of filming of akira kurosawas no regrets for our youth 1946, starring setsuko hara.
Every japanese actress can play the role of a prostitute to some extent. The news of setsuko haras death at the age of 95 is jolting and sad. Although ozu s mature films seem to resemble each other stylistically and thematically even the titles are confusingly similar they are, within their chosen parameters, rich in humour. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2, or 3 months new customers receive 15% off your first box. After six masterpieces together, it is hard not to think of actress setsuko hara as yasujiro ozus embodiment of the postwar japanese woman. For members of fandor nine of her films are available to stream. She was, quite simply, one of the finest actors of the 20th century. Your majesties, distinguished members of the norwegian nobel committee. Were always hearing about the ends of eras, but the recent death of the great actress setsuko hara really is the end of an erathe era of the classic japanese film, of the directors mizoguchi, ozu, naruse, kurosawa, and kinoshita to name only the bestknown here in america, and of the periods dominant actresses. Were always hearing about the ends of eras, but the recent death of the.
Chisu ryu, the grandfather in tokyo story, and setsuko hara, who played the widowed daughterinlaw in that film, are immensely affecting. Setsuko hara, the luminous japanese movie star of the 1940s and 50s, has died. Jul 20, 2016 this past sunday, the new york times reported the death of japanese actress setsuko hara. Late spring, banshun is a 1949 japanese drama film directed by yasujiro ozu and.
The studiocreated character of setsuko hara just vanishes, like a book ending. In the west, she is best known for her performances in yasujiro ozus films late spring 1949 and tokyo story 1953, although she had already appeared in 67 films before working with ozu. Anyone familiar with the films of yasujiro ozu will have been entranced by setsuko hara, who has died aged 95. Hara, who never married, is called the eternal virgin in japan and is a symbol of the golden era of japanese cinema of the 1950s. It is hard to underestimate setsuko haras place in japanese film and, in turn, in world cinema. Dec 15, 2015 setsuko hara as noriko somiya in yasujiro ozus late spring, 1949. The second in a series of profiles of the great actresses spotlighted in this seasons flagship tiff cinematheque programme summer in japan. Setsuko hara, whod made her film debut in 1936, would have been all of sixteen. Amazons choice for setsuko hara eclipse series 3 late ozu. Japanese actress setsuko haras death reminds of missed. This past sunday, the new york times reported the death of japanese actress setsuko hara.
Their lives, and their troubled relationships with men, are complicated by the appearance of a woman who may be their. Japanese screen legend setsuko hara, most famous for her role in yasujiro ozus classic tokyo story. Join facebook to connect with setsuko hara and others you may know. In memoriam setsuko hara, the muse of yasujiro ozu and perhaps japans greatest actress, has died at the age of 95. Video essay on the absence of noriko setsuko hara in ozus norikos trilogy late spring 1949, early summer 1951, and tokyo story 1953. Setsuko aihara is the author of strategies for reading japanese 3.
Nov 26, 2015 legendary actress setsuko hara, who starred in tokyo story and other films by yasujiro ozu and other prominent japanese directors, has died. Nov 25, 2015 setsuko hara, a japanese actress who achieved international stardom and critical acclaim after world war ii through her collaborations with directors such as akira kurosawa and yasujiro ozu, only. Jul 26, 2018 the second in a series of profiles of the great actresses spotlighted in this seasons flagship tiff cinematheque programme summer in japan. Find setsuko hara movies, filmography, bio, co stars, photos, news and tweets. Three of japans most internationally renowned filmmakers got the lions share of the talent. When actress setsuko hara retired in 1963, she disappointed her fans and further deepened her allure as the eternal virgin, a nickname she was lovingly given when her acting career was at its peak. Japanese actress setsuko haras death reminds of missed opportunities appreciation of japanese actress, and the thankyou note never written, offers reminder. Yet she also embodies the virtues of the traditional japanese woman.
Setsuko hara, japanese star of films by ozu and kurosawa, is dead at 95 setsuko hara, center, in tokyo story 1953, directed by yasujiro ozu, with whom she had a 12year collaboration. She actually died on september 5th, but for unknown reasons, the public announcement was not made until last week. However, it is interesting to put this image up against the role she played years earlier for akira kurosawa in no regrets for our youth. In memoriam setsuko hara, the muse of yasujiro ozu and. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Setsuko hara as noriko somiya in yasujiro ozus late spring, 1949. Setsuko hara june 17, 1920 september 5, 2015 was a japanese actress mostly known for being one of ozus. Susan rivers and setsuko toyama are wellrespected oup authors. Dont pass this way without losing your heart to miss harajapans. Pico iyer reflects on a quartercentury of life in japan the new. Lovettes solo, to the japanese actress setsuko hara the muse of the director yasujiro ozu, and as delicate as the dancer herself all the more. Early spring tokyo twilight equinox flower late autumn the end of summer 4.
Setsuko tamura is the author of little lord fauntleroy 3. A subforum to discuss film culture and criticism both old and new, as well as memorializing public figures weve lost. Setsuko hara in late spring, 1949, with masao mishima. Best known today for the films she made with director yasujiro ozu, the prolific and popular hara starred in more than 100 movies before unexpectedly retiring from acting and public life in the early 60s. The international campaign to abolish nuclear weapons ican received the nobel peace prize on december 10, 2017. Setsuko hara, center, in tokyo story 1953, directed by yasujiro ozu. Ozu and setsuko hara by donald richie born in 1920, hara was introduced to the nikkatsu film studios by her brotherinlaw, the director hisatora kumagai, in 1935, but she became popular only after having been chosen by arnold fanck to star in the germanjapanese coproduction the new earth 1937. Setsuko hara, a japanese actress who achieved international stardom and critical acclaim after world war ii through her collaborations with directors such as akira kurosawa and yasujiro ozu, only. Setsuko hara became one of japans bestloved stars over her 30year film career. Nov 25, 2015 setsuko hara in late spring, 1949, with masao mishima.