The films that I have seen--the trilogy--deal with the Japanese society as it faces changes under American occupation as it moves into the latter half of the 20th century. I do not know much about Japanese society (then or now), but in looking at the changes on a small scale, focused on one family, Ozu presents a
moving reminder of things that money cannot buy: loyalty, humility, generosity, love--all in the midst of change. The American occupation is simply background, just there, hardly depicted.
Traditional values and ways of life disappearing because of modernization and urbanization... one of my favorite themes. Ozu's work is on the top of my list of films to be collected...
Criterion Collection
Merchant Ivory filmography
The Merchant Ivory set was mentioned prominently at the old Criterion website (at least according to Google).
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