I Was Born, But...

1932. Japan. Directed by Yasujiro Ozu. Screenplay by Akira Fushimi. With Tomio Aoki, Tatsuo Saito, Hideo Sugawara. Two young boys defend their father's honor, only to find him kowtowing to his lazy, condescending boss. Ozu's poignant family comedy, told with humor, warmth, and wisdom, was a breakthrough success, topping the annual poll of best films in the prestigious journal Kinema Jumpo. It established the great director's interest in certain recurring themes: the lost innocence of youth, the difficult ties that bind parents and children, everyday life among the working class, and conformity and careerism in a modernizing Japanese society. Silent, with English intertitles. 100 min.