septimarhay
Exploring the gap between Parent and Child
Equinox flower (1958) was Ozu's 48th film (of 53) and his first feature film in color. As with all Ozu films, Equinox Flower is a family drama.
This film focuses on an upper middle class family in conflict; that is the daughter's decision to choose a marriage partner without consulting parents and a parent's view they should be involved in the decision. It might seem filmgoers would automatically side with the daughter in this story, but many will sympathize with the old-fashioned father to a certain extent. If this topic interests you, do watch the film and be aware of your perceptions, thoughts, feelings, and judgments.
One side note, is that the title, "Equinox flower", is also the common name of an Asian lily - Lycoris radiata; it is also called 'red spider lily', 'red magic lily', and 'corpse flower'. It is a beautiful red flower (look it up online!). This flower blooms in August-September, close to the Autumn Equinox. The flower has some cultural relevance to death. Consider what element(s) of the film may symbolically link to this flower. Does it represent the decay/death of a parent-child relationship when the child marries and becomes 'independent' from parent?
This film primarily explores the gap or 'conflicts' in perception that parents and children have of one another. The following 2 script selections represent that gap.
Says one Mother to another mother:
I'm doing all I can,
but Yukiko (the speaker's adult daughter) just keeps telling me
to leave her alone and not bother her.
Children are so ungrateful.
Our children are the same.
It must be the same everywhere.
Says one adult daughter to another adult daughter (--):
I envy you, Setsuko.
Your parents aren't like my mother.
They're so understanding.
--I wouldn't be so sure of that.
They're not like Mom at all.
She always goes on and on
and never gets to the point.
--She has an interesting way of talking.
Yeah, too interesting, if you ask me.
Setsuko, we should team up.
--What do you mean?
You help me
when my mother's being unreasonable,
and I'll do the same for you.
This film focuses on an upper middle class family in conflict; that is the daughter's decision to choose a marriage partner without consulting parents and a parent's view they should be involved in the decision. It might seem filmgoers would automatically side with the daughter in this story, but many will sympathize with the old-fashioned father to a certain extent. If this topic interests you, do watch the film and be aware of your perceptions, thoughts, feelings, and judgments.
One side note, is that the title, "Equinox flower", is also the common name of an Asian lily - Lycoris radiata; it is also called 'red spider lily', 'red magic lily', and 'corpse flower'. It is a beautiful red flower (look it up online!). This flower blooms in August-September, close to the Autumn Equinox. The flower has some cultural relevance to death. Consider what element(s) of the film may symbolically link to this flower. Does it represent the decay/death of a parent-child relationship when the child marries and becomes 'independent' from parent?
This film primarily explores the gap or 'conflicts' in perception that parents and children have of one another. The following 2 script selections represent that gap.
Says one Mother to another mother:
I'm doing all I can,
but Yukiko (the speaker's adult daughter) just keeps telling me
to leave her alone and not bother her.
Children are so ungrateful.
Our children are the same.
It must be the same everywhere.
Says one adult daughter to another adult daughter (--):
I envy you, Setsuko.
Your parents aren't like my mother.
They're so understanding.
--I wouldn't be so sure of that.
They're not like Mom at all.
She always goes on and on
and never gets to the point.
--She has an interesting way of talking.
Yeah, too interesting, if you ask me.
Setsuko, we should team up.
--What do you mean?
You help me
when my mother's being unreasonable,
and I'll do the same for you.
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