Watching Late Autumn by Yasujirō Ozu – A Creator’s Perspective
I recently watched Late Autumn by Yasujirō Ozu and analyzed it from a creator’s point of view.
This film is full of Ozu’s unique aesthetic sense. It was shot with a 50mm lens, which is said to be the closest to how the human eye sees. This makes the film feel very natural and realistic, almost like we are seeing the world through our own eyes.
While watching, I felt a strong connection between this film and Robert Frank’s The Americans. Not because of the story, but because of the way both artists use composition, colors, and atmosphere to create a unique visual style.
1. The 50mm Lens – Seeing the World as It Is
A 50mm lens captures images in a way that feels natural to the human eye.
Both Ozu and Frank use this perspective to show everyday life in a simple but beautiful way.
Because of this, even small, ordinary moments feel deep and emotional.
2. Composition – Less Is More
Ozu removes all unnecessary details in his frames, creating a strong sense of balance and stillness.
Frank’s photography also focuses on just the important parts, cutting away distractions.
Both use empty space (negative space) to create meaning—sometimes what is not shown is just as important as what is shown.
3. Typography – Words as Part of the Image
In Late Autumn, you can see English words like the Coca-Cola logo and café signs. These signs show a mix of Japanese culture and Western influence at that time.
In Frank’s photographs, he also includes billboards and neon signs, which capture the atmosphere of America in the 1950s.
In both cases, text and fonts become part of the storytelling, giving a sense of time and place.
Focusing on the Essence
This film made me think about what is truly important in art.
"Art is not just about showing something—it reflects the creator’s thoughts and personality."
Great filmmakers and photographers don’t just capture reality. They choose what to show, what to remove, and how to present it in a way that expresses their own ideas.
It’s not just about what is in the frame, but also how it is framed and what is left out.
Watching Late Autumn reminded me that art is a way to express one’s philosophy—it is about questioning, refining, and creating something that reflects the artist’s mind.
If you are interested in this idea, I recommend watching Late Autumn after looking at Robert Frank’s The Americans.
You might notice some interesting similarities between the two.
I plan to share more creator-focused film and photography analyses on my blog.
Thank you for reading!
Kana Miyaura ☺︎