An Autumn Afternoon

An Autumn Afternoon

Year: 1964

Runtime: 113 min

Language: Japanese

Director: Yasujiro Ozu

Drama

A respected businessman reflects on his family relationships as autumn arrives. Shuhei Hirayama grapples with the challenges of raising his sons, particularly his eldest, while also supporting his middle daughter’s romantic aspirations. He also attempts to mend the emotional distance with his youngest child, who carries a history of trauma. The season of change mirrors the shifting dynamics within his household, prompting introspection and a search for understanding among his loved ones.

Melancholic
Bittersweet ending
Moderately emotional
Low intensity
Slow pacing
Simple story

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Timeline & Setting – An Autumn Afternoon (1964)

Explore the full timeline and setting of An Autumn Afternoon (1964). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1962, Post-War Era

The film is set in 1962, during Japan's post-war recovery, a period marked by societal transformation and familial restructuring. This time saw the rise of modern Japanese culture while grappling with the lingering effects of World War II. The characters' memories of the war significantly shape their present lives and relationships.

Location

Tokyo, Wakamatsu Restaurant

Tokyo in 1962 serves as a vibrant backdrop for the movie, showcasing the complexities of post-war family life. The Wakamatsu Restaurant, known as 'Young Pine,' is a gathering place for Hirayama and his former classmates, providing a sense of nostalgia and camaraderie. The city reflects a society navigating change and the aftermath of war, influencing characters' lives deeply.

🏙️ City 🍜 Restaurant

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:27

Main Characters – An Autumn Afternoon (1964)

Meet the key characters of An Autumn Afternoon (1964), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Shūhei Hirayama (Chishū Ryū)

Shūhei Hirayama is a reflective elderly widower balancing the complexities of his present with memories of the past. He grapples with the responsibilities of fatherhood while contemplating his own loneliness and desires for his children's futures. His character represents the struggles of older generations adapting to societal changes.

👴 Elderly ❤️ Fatherhood 🤔 Reflective

Kōichi (Keiji Sada)

Kōichi, Hirayama's married son, is portrayed as somewhat irresponsible and conflicted, showcasing the struggles of balancing his family life with personal desires. His character partly embodies the younger generation's challenges in post-war Japan, navigating between familial duty and individual aspirations. Kōichi's choices also emphasize the impact of parental influence.

👨 Son 🎓 Responsibility 💸 Conflict

Michiko (Shima Iwashita)

Michiko represents the challenges faced by young women in post-war Japan, caught between traditional expectations and personal desires. Her character evolves from a dutiful daughter into a woman confronting the prospects of marriage and independence, reflecting broader societal changes regarding women's roles during this era.

💃 Woman 💔 Independence 📅 Tradition

Sakuma (Eijirō Tōno)

Sakuma, affectionately known as the *Gourd*, is a former teacher who reflects the impact of past choices on the present. His struggles highlight the theme of unfulfilled dreams, as he navigates a modest life running a noodle shop. The bond he shares with his former students emphasizes the enduring influence of mentorship and friendship.

👨‍🏫 Teacher 🍜 Struggle 👬 Friendship

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:27

Major Themes – An Autumn Afternoon (1964)

Explore the central themes of An Autumn Afternoon (1964), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

👨‍👧‍👦 Family Dynamics

The theme of family dynamics is central to the film, exploring the tensions and bonds between an elderly father and his adult children. As Hirayama navigates his responsibilities as a father, he confronts complexities in his children's lives, particularly his daughter's unfulfilled potential and loneliness. The film presents a poignant reflection on familial love and duty amidst changing societal expectations.

💔 Loneliness

Loneliness permeates the narrative, especially through the character of Hirayama and his former teacher. As they reflect on lost opportunities and unfulfilled dreams, the film illustrates the emotional isolation that can arise within familial relationships. Hirayama’s journey towards arranging his daughter’s marriage highlights the struggle against loneliness both for himself and for his children.

🎶 Nostalgia

Nostalgia is a recurring theme, as the characters reminisce about their past at gatherings filled with laughter and camaraderie. The presence of music, particularly the *Warship March*, evokes memories of their youth and wartime experiences. This longing for the past serves as a backdrop to the characters’ current lives, revealing how history shapes their identities.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:27

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Quiet family dramas of generational change like An Autumn Afternoon

Subtle stories about families navigating the inevitable shifts of time and age.For viewers who liked the gentle, reflective pace of An Autumn Afternoon, this section features movies like it that explore family relationships and the quiet melancholy of aging. These similar drama films capture the bittersweet feeling of generational change.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically follow a parent, often in the autumn of their life, as they come to terms with their children's independence. The narrative is driven by everyday interactions and conversations rather than major plot twists, building towards a poignant resolution that acknowledges both loss and continuity.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped together for their shared focus on the emotional landscape of family life, their melancholic and reflective tone, and their use of a slow, deliberate pace to let character and atmosphere take precedence over plot.

Meditative character studies in atmospheric settings like An Autumn Afternoon

Films where mood and introspection are the main events, unfolding slowly.If you enjoyed the reflective, atmospheric quality of An Autumn Afternoon, this list highlights movies with a similar vibe. These films share a slow pacing and a focus on mood and character introspection, creating a quietly powerful viewing experience.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern is less about a traditional plot and more about a character's emotional journey, often prompted by their environment or a season. The story unfolds through quiet moments and subtle details, allowing the audience to absorb the character's feelings and reflections directly.

Why These Movies?

These movies are connected by their meditative quality, their use of a specific atmosphere (often tied to a season or time of day) as a central element, and a pacing that invites the audience to contemplate along with the characters.

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An Autumn Afternoon Summary

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An Autumn Afternoon Summary

An Autumn Afternoon Timeline

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An Autumn Afternoon Timeline

An Autumn Afternoon Spoiler-Free Summary

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An Autumn Afternoon Spoiler-Free Summary

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