I'm in the middle of a new craze -- one for the Japanese director Yasujiro Ozu. The Pacific Film Archives is hosting a retrospective of Ozu's work right now. In the two weeks, I've seen three of his films but am aching to see more of the 36 that are being shown at the PFA.

Since I've not been blogging regularly, I want to return to blogging by writing as pointedly as I can. But it's late alas -- so right now, I just want to leave a tidbit to seed what I plan to write tomorrow and to whet the appetite of the several loyal readers I have out there.

I've been thinking about the issue of universality and the art of Ozu. I throw in Bach -- well, because I like Bach -- but also because I've pondered the use of the adjective to describe Bach. Are all these things related? I don't know.

Let me just sign off for the evening by throwing in a quote for me to sleep on:

Hasegawa also offers his view as to why Ozu's films are still loved by so many people: "Ozu consistently portrayed the universal theme of family issues common to all human beings. Wim Wenders hit the nail on the head about Ozu's films in stating: 'As thoroughly Japanese as they are, these films are, at the same time, universal. In them, I've been able to recognize all families, in all the countries of the world, as well as my parents, my brother, and myself.' However many times I watch Ozu's movies, after viewing, the films inspire me to contemplate the meaning of life, families, and parent-child relationships." Hasegawa's desire is to "introduce even one more person to Ozu's films, particularly the next generation of youth." That is undoubtedly also the hope of every person who loves Ozu and his work.