I Was Born, But... (1932)

 Yasujiro Ozu's "I Was Born, But..."

In my time as a film watcher, I have only seen one Yasujiro Ozu film, 1954's "Tokyo Story." However, I am fully aware of the style in which Ozu directs and constructs his films, as well as their themes. His 1932 silent film "I Was Born, But..." is a great official introduction to Ozu. I can already align what I know about the famous director with this work. 

The film tells the story of two young boys as they navigate their new hometown. They laugh and play with other children, but also face bullies as well. Soon, they slowly begin to learn that their father is not some big, important man, but rather a lowly employee for their fellow playmates' father. This becomes distressing for the children, as they act out against their father and mother. After disappointment, anger, and eventually reconciliation, the boys gain a new perspective on their father and even life itself.

I really enjoyed the film and found it to be an incredibly simple concept played out incredibly simply. Despite this simplicity, the emotional and existential resonance packs a punch. As a parent myself, I understand the father's perspective. As a former child (obviously), I also understand the disappointment from the children's perspective. The film is definitely a 'coming-of-age' film in that there is a sense of disillusionment within the children. This disillusionment is something all of us have to go through. Life is not what you expect it to be. It's not a buffet platter for you to pick and choose. Rather, you must conform yourself and bow down to other people sometimes. It's a strange, complex feeling of emptiness that I felt when watching the father melancholically agree with his children that he's not important and that he hopes they aren't 'apple scrubbers' like him when they grow up. As a youth, you dream of lofty dreams for yourself. However, for most, life does not work out the way you envision as a youth. You are born, but....well, you know.