 |
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
 |
|
|
2003 / Iran=NHK / 74min. / Color
|
|
|
|
|
[Director's message]
In the years behind, many times I faced this question: which film is your best? or who is your favorite filmmaker? Usually I hesitated to reply to this question and I had a quite reasonable answer: "It is very difficult for a filmmaker or a film to remain your favorite for a long time."
It happens that we see our favorite film for the second time after many years and we find that it is not our favorite one any more. Therefore, the life time of most of the films and filmmakers are even shorter than our own life time.
As I said, I could hardly answer the above question. For reaching to a correct answer, I should sit and watch all the films I have ever seen. Recently, I saw one of my favorite films which was made by one of my favorite filmmaker in 60's, and I found that it is so artificial, full of imitations and lies. I really can not understand why and how I was fond of this film at the time.
I think the value of a film or a filmmaker can not be appointed on awards, or good critics or even the success of the box office. The good film have a long life time.
All these years I was asked the same question and in very few occasions I was obligated to answer. My answer was definitely the same; these are two names for my favorite filmmakers: Ozu and Baster Keaton. Ozu is still powerful, fresh and strong for me.
I think the relation between the members of a family, their understanding and the simple and lovely characters, were all so touchable and close to me who has not a deep knowledge of Japanese culture.
I wonder how Ozu's films touched the people of his own time. For me, Ozu is a brilliant filmmaker with a sweet and kind heart. And I found this through the few films I have seen. Ozu's films are like "mother", whom you can not describe, you feel empty handed, and you can not explain your feeling. When I see his films, I forget that I am a filmmaker too, and I don't watch his films from the view of cinema.
Watching his films, I am completely a surrender... I forget everything I have, cinema and even myself.
Time has not demolished Ozu's films, no matter how far we get from his world, again and again you will be invited to watch his films.
After watching so many bad movies, we can wash our eyes by watching Ozu's films, and get clean and clean to see more films. More we see other films, more we feel the originality of his films by our heart.
And this reason is enough to have a desire for me to be behind the camera this time, thinking of him, believing that the material of Cinema is human beings. And Ozu's human beings are the best one can be.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
[Director]
Born in 1940. After graduating Art university in Tehran, he had his directorial debut with "BREAD AND ALLEY" in 1970. The award winning film "WHERE IS THE FRIEND'S HOME?" made him one of the world's famous filmmakers. "TASTE OF CHERRY" won him Palm d'Or at the 1997's Cannes Film Festival, and "THE WIND WILL CARRY US" won him the Grand Jury Prize at Venice Film Festival in 1999.
STAFF :
Director : Abbas Kiarostami
Producer : Alireza Shojanoori (Behnegar Production Distribution), UEDA Makoto (NHK Enterprises 21, Inc.)
|
|
