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Setsuko Hara was this really marvelous actress from Japan's "Golden Era" of cinema (1930-1960) and is basically Japan's sweetheart (similar to America's Mary Pickford). She is known mostly for her roles in the works of Ozu Yasujiro, particularly her most famous work, Tokyo Story, where she plays the beautiful and dutiful widow, Noriko!

She was mostly known for playing the "good, traditional Japanese female" (wife, mother, daughter) and also worked with Naruse and Kurosawa (The Idiot is my favourite of her roles, because she really steps out of her usual comfort zone!).

Like Chiyoko Fujiwara (Sennen Joyū), Sestuko Hara was a major star (we're talking ultimate awesome mega-superstar) and when she unexpectedly retired early (at 43) and disappeared from the limelight, it truly affected the nation. Satoshi Kon is quoted to have said that this event and her career was one of the major inspirations for the film (Sennen Joyū), so when I read that I went bacl and re-watched the film and it was true! The film is simply wrought with references to Sestuko Hara, which caused me to finally appreciate it more fully.

I would HIGHLY recommend her pictures, especially Tokyo Story, Meshi (Repast), and Late Spring (which was actually very radical for its time and place).

No worries about the late reply. When it comes to having a proper conversation, I haven't been logging in as much either! :/

I've been really interested in Jinrui wa Suitai Shimashita recently as well. I see it received fair praise on your list.

Was there something specific you enjoyed about it?

I see you have Sennen Joyuu in your selective top 10. I used to think it was just ok, until I realized that the main character is based on my favourite Japanese actress of all time, Setsuko Hara! Now it is a favourite, because when I watch it I see how she has inspired Satoshi Kon throughout the whole film!

What a lovely anime list you have and such nice recommendations as well. I've been wanting to see Princess Arete for a while now, but it had fallen off of my radar. Thank you for the reminder. ^_^

Hope we chat sometime as I suspect we have ore in common than MAL lets on. ^_^