Tokyo Family (2013) (DVD) (English Subtitled) (Hong Kong Version)

Product Description

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of director Ozu Yasujiros death, veteran Japanese director Yamada Yojis 50 years as a director & the 60th anniversary of Tokyo Story, Yamada Yoji pays tribute to the timeless classic with Tokyo Family, his 82nd film. A contemporary update of Tokyo Story, Tokyo Family follows the basic structure of the Ozu film, but updates the original storys pessimistic message, which laments the erosion of familial bond in a rapidly developing postwar Japan, to a modern one that is more optimistic about todays young generation. At the same time, Yamada also recognizes that the fragmentation of the family unit seen in the original film is just as relevant today as it was back in 1953.

The biggest change Yamada & co-writer Hiramatsu Emiko make from Tokyo Story is replacing the familys widowed daughter-in-law with a wayward youngest son & his kind girlfriend, played by Tsumabuki Satoshi ( For Loves Sake) & Aoi Yu ( Rurouni Kenshin), respectively. The two are joined by a talented cast of actors, including Hashitzume Isao (I Wish), Yoshiyuki Kazuko ( Departures), Natsukawa Yui ( Still Walking), Nishimura Masahiko ( Space Brothers), Nakajima Tomoko (A Taste of Tea) & Hayashiya Shozo. Featuring a score by Hisaishi Joe, Tokyo Family is a touching human drama that isnt just the story of one family; this is everyones story.

Retired teacher Shukichi (Hashizume Isao) & his wife Tomiko temporarily leave their peaceful island life to visit their children in Tokyo: eldest son Koiichi (Nishimura Masahiko), daughter Shigeko (Nakajima Tomoko) & unreliable youngest son Shoji (Tsumabuki Satoshi). Due to the childrens busy schedules, Shukichi & Tomiko are shuffled around Tokyo from home to home. The two are especially worried about Shoji, who has been a burden on the family in the past & now barely scraping by as a stage set designer. Fortunately, Tomiko finds solace when she meets Shojis kind girlfriend Noriko (Aoi Yu). However, the two parents hectic schedule eventually takes a toll on them...