Lil' Tokyo Story

A shot-for-shot remake of the climax of Tokyo Story (Yasujiro Ozu, 1953). Screen Left uses the original Japanese text delivered orally, with subtitles literally translated into English. Stage Right repeats the scene, with the English subtitles authored by the Criterion Collection delivered orally, with subtitles literally translated back to Japanese. Flanked by abstract “pillow shots” of Los Angeles, the roles of Noriko and Kyoko are played by two Japanese male immigrants in drag, the two English/Japanese versions play against one another, falling in and out of sync rhythmically, textually and spatially.