A movie still and posters of the Japanese films directed by Yasujiro Ozu. Telegraph pictures

Bhubaneswar, May 28: Even half a century after his demise, famous Japanese film-maker Yasujiro Ozu continues to command similar reverence and admiration that he enjoyed during his hey days.

The director’s timeless classics are still an inspiration for many film-makers all over the world and revisiting his immortal works was a film-buff group in the city — The Film Society of Bhubaneswar — that had organised a three-day film festival — Five Dedicated to Ozu — at Jayadev Bhavan.

The festival held last weekend hosted five of Ozu’s best, Late Spring (1949), Equinox Flower (1958), Floating Weeds (1959), An Autumn Afternoon (1962) with the concluding day showcasing Late Autumn (1960).

“We have borrowed the films as well as the title of the festival from noted film-maker Abbas Kiarostami’s collection. Ozu’s films are a lesson in itself and we wanted film lovers in the city to get a taste of the magic,” said Gurudutt, a member of the Film Society of Bhubaneswar.

One aspect that was common in all the five films showcased, was Ozu’s love to play with human relations. It was not just the boy-meets-girl stories that interested Ozu, but his films were centred on family bonding, the harsh realities in relationships and unsaid words between parents and their children.

The inaugural day screened one of Ozu’s personal favourites, Late Spring (Banshun in Japanese). The film was a welcome break from the post-world war days.

Moving away from the war stories, Ozu beautifully captured the emotions of a widowed father who wants his young daughter to get married whereas she has other dreams and aspirations.

The second screening Equinox Flower (Higabana) was Ozu’s first film in colour. This film too was about father-daughter relationship and the gradual realisation and acceptance of the offspring’s individuality.

In Floating Weeds, a remake of another of his film — A story of Floating Weeds — Ozu told the story of an illicit love affair and its circumstances. Late Autumn, another of the director’s hit was on similar lines of Late Spring, only this time he spoke of a widow and her daughter.

An Autumn Afternoon, Ozu’s last film also depicted a troubled family life.

A host of movie aficionados in the city were seen attending the film festival and leaving the hall with tears in the eyes.

“His films touch your heart and make you cry at the end. Today’s film-makers should learn from Ozu that its not glamour but emotions that makes a beautiful film. I can’t stop myself from shedding a tear after the emotional ending of Late Spring,” said Madhu Chand, a viewer.