"THE OZU DIARIES" is the forthcoming documentary feature film directed by Academy Award Nominee Daniel Raim and produced in collaboration with Turner Classic Movies (TCM), Shochiku, and the Yasujiro Ozu estate. This film delves into the life and art of Yasujiro Ozu, a towering figure in Japanese cinema, through an exploration of his 42 diaries, personal writings, and interviews. Offering a vivid portrait of Ozu's reflections on art and life, the documentary weaves together rare archival footage, film clips, and new interviews with Ozu's closest collaborators to trace the evolution of a young cinephile into one of the most iconic visual storytellers, known for timeless masterpieces like "Late Spring," "Tokyo Story," and "An Autumn Afternoon."
The documentary will highlight contributions from contemporary luminaries like Wim Wenders and Luc Dardenne, each touched by Ozu's work in unique ways. Wim Wenders emphasizes Ozu's ability to explore the depth of everyday moments and the emotional landscapes of his characters. Luc Dardenne explores the subtleties in Ozu's storytelling, particularly noting how objects within his films serve not just as mere props but as conduits to convey the passage of time and the interconnectedness of generations. Scheduled for release in 2025, "THE OZU DIARIES" aims to illuminate Ozu's world, captivating his ardent fans and those new to his work.
For more information, contact Producer Yuki Machida.
Filming the Ozu's diaries at the Kamakura Museum of Literature with Akiko Ozu (Yasujiro Ozu’s niece)
An insightful interview with master filmmaker Wim Wenders (WINGS OF DESIRE, PERFECT DAYS), reflecting on Yasujiro Ozu's enduring legacy.
From left to right (top row): Hiromi Fujii (Shochiku Executive), Yuki Machida (producer), Daniel Raim (director/producer), Matt Severson (creative consultant), Koichi Furuya (cinematographer),
(bottom row) Yukiko Wachi (Head archivist from the Kawakita Memorial Film Archive), Kyoko Kagawa (actress, "Tokyo Story"), and Takuya Kawakami (sound recordist).
We are fortunate to have The Film Collaborative, a 501 (c)(3) organization as the Fiscal Sponsor for THE OZU DIAIRIES Documentary Project. If you’d like to make a TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION to help us finish film, please click the "DONATE" button below.
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