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7.7/10
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A kabuki actor's mistress hatches a jealous plot to bring down her lover's son.A kabuki actor's mistress hatches a jealous plot to bring down her lover's son.A kabuki actor's mistress hatches a jealous plot to bring down her lover's son.
- Awards
- 1 win
Kôji Mitsui
- Shinkichi
- (as Hideo Mitsui)
Emiko Yagumo
- Otaka
- (as Rieko Yagumo)
Chishû Ryû
- Shouting audience member
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe long thin pipes with the tiny bowls that are seen throughout the film are Kiseru, introduced long ago into high society, such as Buddhist priests, wealthy merchants and samurai. Kiseru were status symbols and sometimes took on intricate designs made from precious metals. Their use was the primary way to smoke tobacco prior to the popularity of cigarettes in the mid-1800s, but continued in use to maintain culture. The characters in the film are often seen turning the Kiseru upside-down and banging them over the rim of a container, which was the way to knock the burnt tobacco out of the bowl prior to repacking it with fresh tobacco.
- Quotes
Kihachi: What did you plan to do with my son?
Otaka: Who cares about your son? He's cheap, like you, playing around with actresses.
[Kihachi beats Otaka]
Otaka: Are you sorry? I hope you'll be very sorry. The world is like a lottery. You take your ups and your downs. Let's make up please. That makes us even, you see. Just think how I feel.
- Crazy creditsThe film title and credits are placed before a backdrop of plain sackcloth. This would become a trademark of Yasujirô Ozu films.
- ConnectionsRemade as Floating Weeds (1959)
Featured review
Lovely Early Japanese Film
I was able to see The Story of Floating Weeds for the first time recently, thanks to the Criterion Collection's DVD.
I was led to it when I came across Roger Ebert's list of his ten favorite films (written some time ago).
In his notes, Ebert claims Ozu shows us a "different cinematic language" but I find that kind of talk so much blather. Ozu uses his shots effectively to allow the actors to communicate the emotions being portrayed, especially necessary in this silent film.
A third rate company of traveling actors returns to a town after four years. The leader of the troupe had abandoned his lady in this town years before in order to tour with his company. He has fathered a son by the woman, whom he visits whenever he can, but his paternity is kept secret from his son.
What follows is the exposure of the secret and the effect it has on the lives of everyone involved, and some innocent bystanders as well.
The camera is almost always objective, the acting style is somewhat less melodramatic than in American silent films. There are excellent performances by all.
No time period is given for the story, but I have to assume it is earlier than the year the film was made (1934) because there are no automobiles, no radios, no telephones.
The enjoyment of Floating Weeds lies in the story itself and the ability of the director to tell it compellingly. If you demand car chases or food fights, this is not for you.
The Criterion DVD allows you to watch with or without the specially commissioned score. For first viewing, I recommend without.
I was led to it when I came across Roger Ebert's list of his ten favorite films (written some time ago).
In his notes, Ebert claims Ozu shows us a "different cinematic language" but I find that kind of talk so much blather. Ozu uses his shots effectively to allow the actors to communicate the emotions being portrayed, especially necessary in this silent film.
A third rate company of traveling actors returns to a town after four years. The leader of the troupe had abandoned his lady in this town years before in order to tour with his company. He has fathered a son by the woman, whom he visits whenever he can, but his paternity is kept secret from his son.
What follows is the exposure of the secret and the effect it has on the lives of everyone involved, and some innocent bystanders as well.
The camera is almost always objective, the acting style is somewhat less melodramatic than in American silent films. There are excellent performances by all.
No time period is given for the story, but I have to assume it is earlier than the year the film was made (1934) because there are no automobiles, no radios, no telephones.
The enjoyment of Floating Weeds lies in the story itself and the ability of the director to tell it compellingly. If you demand car chases or food fights, this is not for you.
The Criterion DVD allows you to watch with or without the specially commissioned score. For first viewing, I recommend without.
helpful•30
- mcguffin2001
- May 6, 2009
- How long is A Story of Floating Weeds?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Història d'una herba errant
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 26 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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By what name was A Story of Floating Weeds (1934) officially released in India in English?
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