From his early silent films to his final features in the 1960s, Yasujirō Ozu perfected a style that stripped away unnecessary plot mechanics and camera movement. In doing so, he produced a cinema whose surface simplicity belies character studies of depth, warmth and on occasion, humour. This latest release of his work from the BFI features two newly restored films, presented on Blu-ray, I Was Born, But… and a longer, previously unreleased version of There Was a Father [Chichi ariki] (1942).

I WAS BORN, BUT… [OTONA NO MIRU EHON – UMARETE WA MITA KEREDO] 
(1932, 91 mins)
As brothers Ryoichi and Keiji struggle to outwit the local bully and scale the pecking order in their new neighbourhood, they find out that injustice does not end with school. Ozu's silent masterpiece prefigures themes from his later, colour classic Good Morning [Ohayō], but with a darker edge.

THERE WAS A FATHER [CHICHI ARIKI] (1942, 93 mins)
Shuhei Horikawa sacrifices his teaching career after an unfortunate accident but refuses to sacrifice the education of his only son.

Both films are newly restored and presented in high definition.

Two Films by Yasujirō Ozu will be released on Blu-ray by the BFI on 15 April 2024 at the RRP of £24.99.

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

• Newly recorded audio commentaries on both films by writer and film critic Adrian Martin
• First pressing only: Illustrated booklet with essays by Bryony Dixon and Tony Rayns, and by Ed Hughes who composed a new score for I Was Born, But… ; credits