Yoji Yamada to direct stage version of Ozu’s “Early Summer”

The acclaimed 1951 film “Early Summer” (“Bakushu”) by director Yasujiro Ozu is being adapted to theater next year. Taking the reins as director and scriptwriter is Yoji Yamada, who is best known for the “Otoko wa tsurai yo” movie series and recent hits like “Love and Honor” (“Bushi no Ichibun”).

“Early Summer” is set in Tokyo during the 1950s and revolves around a three-generation family. In particular, the center of the story is a single woman named Noriko, living with her parents and her brother’s family. She is pressured by her relatives into accepting a marriage set up for her, but she ultimately goes against their wishes, taking on a partner that they disapprove of.

Yamada was inspired to adapt the Ozu film after watching a play in early 2008 done in the style of Shinpa, a school of theater that emerged in response to kabuki. He decided to use “Early Summer” as a base, modifying it into the Shinpa style. Although the full cast has not been decided, it will at least include Yaeko Mizutani and Kuriko Namino, both members of the Gekidan Shinpa troupe that performed the play Yamada watched.

Yamada’s adaptation will be performed at the Mitsukoshi Theater in Tokyo in January 2010. Around the same time, Yamada’s next movie, “Otouto” (details previously announced here), will open in movie houses.

Source:
Sports Hochi