KOHI JIKOU

With Café Lumière a luminous portrait of modern Japan, neatly painted in light, contemplative strokes Hou exorcizes this frequently attributed cinematic lineage by paying a simple homage to Yasujiro Ozu. Defining a complex emotional landscape of family ties and transient feelings by recording his characters ordinary daily routines, Hou blends an elegant, stark calligraphy of images with a unique design of emptiness, often letting silences fill in the lines of this twenty-first century look at Ozus 1953 masterpiece, Tokyo Story. Set against the somewhat distant backdrop of a megalopolis incessantly crossed by trains, the chronicle of Yokos first months of pregnancy follows a quiet, secluded path leading to the secure personal village she has created for herself within the imposing city, one populated by welcoming neighbours, caring cooks and loving librarians. Café Lumière makes explicit, reverent references to Tokyo Story, but confines these quotations to minimal actions and integrates them into Hous own innovative universe of signs. (Giovanna Fulvi)