The movie "Tokyo Family" is a heartfelt tribute to Yasujirō Ozu.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Yasujirō Ozu's passing, renowned Japanese director Yoji Yamada has remade his classic masterpiece "Tokyo Story" into a new film, "Tokyo Family," as a perfect homage to the late director. The film stars Satoshi Tsumabuki, Ai Hashimoto, Yui Natsukawa, Kazuko Yoshiyuki, Masahiko Nishimura, Ryo Kase, and Hiroshi Miyasaka, and was screened in Japan to an audience of 1.4 million people. Viewers left in tears, recommending it and saying, 'The first thing I did after leaving the theater was call my parents to say hello!' This film also marks the 50th anniversary of Yoji Yamada’s directing career and was selected as an official entry for the 2013 Berlin Film Festival.

"Tokyo Family" depicts the relationship between modern couples, parents and children, as well as the widespread social issue of aging, through the story of a couple visiting their adult children living in Tokyo. Simple yet deeply moving, the film was directed by the legendary Japanese filmmaker Yoji Yamada, known for his acclaimed "Samurai Trilogy" — "The Twilight Samurai," "The Hidden Blade," and "Love and Honor," as well as the "Tora-san" series, "The Yellow Handkerchief," and "Cherry Blossoms – Haru’s Journey." In 2013, on the 50th anniversary of his directing career, Yamada released "Tokyo Family" as a tribute to his idol, Yasujirō Ozu.

 

 

Selected for the 2013 Berlin Film Festival   Moving portrayal of family touches hearts

 

"Tokyo Family" was selected as an official entry for the 2013 Berlin Film Festival and received widespread acclaim after its premiere. The emotional power of family resonated across borders, moving many audience members to tears. The film was initially announced by director Yoji Yamada in late 2010, intended as a tribute to Yasujirō Ozu’s 1953 film "Tokyo Story." It was scheduled to begin shooting in April 2011, but the devastating 311 Great East Japan Earthquake led to its postponement due to power restrictions at studios and other challenges. Yamada said, “The Japanese people will experience a profound shift in mindset because of this disaster, so I decided to rewrite the script and set the story in Tokyo in the spring of 2012, after the 311 catastrophe.” As a result, Yamada conducted in-depth interviews with residents in disaster-affected areas and introduced new characters with backgrounds tied to the disaster—elements not present in the original. He said, "Tokyo Family" aims to reflect on whether 'we have become happier over these 50 years.'"