Wim Wenders

Wim Wenders’ documentary film Tokyo-Ga is much more than a tender love letter to the Japanese director Yasujiro Ozu. In his eloquent narration, Wenders calls it a “diary on film”.

Visiting Tokyo in 1983, he searches for traces of Ozu’s world, and finds that the city has changed beyond recognition. He spends time with Chishū Ryū, Ozu’s favorite actor, and interviews his loyal cinematographer, Yuharu Atsuta. Atsuta endearingly demonstrates Ozu’s preferred camera setups, praises the 50mm lens, and shows Wenders his stopwatch — a gift from Ozu.

Interspersed with these encounters is footage of places Wenders finds mesmerizing: with his cinematographer, Edward Lachman, he observes rooftop golf driving ranges, trains, pachinko parlors and a sampuru (wax food) atelier. Werner Herzog makes a cameo, reflecting on the difficulty of finding a “transparent image”.

Earnest and contemplative, Tokyo-Ga won awards in London and Cannes in 1985. Carefully restored and now viewable online, it feels even more resonant with time.