I Was Born, But… (1932)

I Was Born, But  (1932) – A mid-level manager in a Japanese company moves his wife and two sons to a new neighborhood as part of a plan to advance his career.  The boys face problems adjusting to the new neighbors, school and the realization that their father isn’t the most important executive in his company.

Directed by Yasijiru Ozu                                            Starring Tomio Aoki, Hideo Sugawara

This is funny and charming silent film from one of the revered directors of Japanese movies.  At the surface this one doesn’t seem to be all that noteworthy.  It’s a coming of age story for two brothers.  They have to face down the bullies, and pass through a challenge to their world view.  It’s also a satire about corporate life and the early days of the “salary man”,   the Japanese version of the “Man in the Grey Flannel Suit”.  So none of it is particularly striking to today’s viewer.  The genius of the movie is in how perfectly Ozu weaves the story.  Despite being able to predict every turn of the plot, the movie gives you every reason to keep watching.

A large part of this goes to the two young actors playing the sons Keiji and Ryoichi (Aoki and Sugawara).  Every moment on the screen feels true to life, rather than a movie version of real life.  From standing together to confront the bullies, to skipping school to their silly (but oh so serious) “power” over the other boys, they bring exactly the kind of seriousness that only small children can offer.  It is impossible to not like and root for them. 

Japan had a energetic film industry in the silent era, but only a small percentage of those movies exist.  “I Was Born, But” gives us just a taste of that industry at its best.

The title comes from the full Japanese opening credits “An Adult’s Picture Book View — I Was Born, But…”


Why You Will Like It – The realism and humor of the two boys adventures make it a movie worth seeing.

Rating – **** Reccomended