Lifestyle FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2015 ‘Tokyo Story’ star Setsuko Hara, muse of Ozu, dies at 95 he Japanese actress who starred in diately made public “as she wished no fuss be of Ms Setsuko Hara.” Hara, whose real name famed director Yasujiro Ozu’s “Tokyo made”, her 75-year-old nephew told Kyodo was Masae Aida, made her debut in the 1930s, TStory” and a host of other classic films News agency. but rose to prominence after World War II has died aged 95 — with the news only A private funeral service was held, he working with Ozu, most notably on his emerging nearly three months after her pass- added. Film distribution company Shochiku acclaimed “Tokyo Story”. In that 1953 film, ing. The death of Setsuko Hara dominated yesterday set up a stand for floral tributes to considered a masterpiece of global cinema, Japanese front pages yesterday, with head- Hara at a Tokyo theatre, which was coinciden- she played a woman widowed by the war lines lauding her as a “legendary” performer tally showing the Ozu-directed “Late Spring” who treats the ageing parents of her late hus- and the “Eternal Madonna”. Hara had been in in which she starred as part of a retrospective band kindly during their visit to Tokyo, in con- hospital since mid-August and her death on of Japanese movies. On display were her pho- trast to their own children, who are too busy. September 5 from pneumonia was not imme- to and the message: “We pray for the repose A poll of noted regional filmmakers and international critics published last month at the Busan International Film Festival rated the drama as the best Asian film of all time. In “Late Spring” as well as Ozu’s “Early Summer”, she played a modest and elegant woman, in movies that tackled the issue of fraying family bonds as Japan’s economy rapidly modern- ized. She appeared in “No Regrets for Our Youth” and “The Idiot” by Akira Kurosawa- director of “Seven Samurai”-and in the work of Tadashi Imai and Mikio Naruse. Hara-who reportedly never married and was known in circulation Yomiuri Shimbun daily reported A memorial for Japan as the “Eternal Virgin”-abruptly with- that her last public appearance was at Ozu’s late Japanese drew from the movie industry after her last wake in December 1963. In a rare interview actress Setsuko film in 1962. with the Yomiuri in 1992, she played down Hara is In retirement she lived in a house next to her accomplishments as one of Japan’s fore- displayed at a relatives in Kamakura, a scenic seaside city most actresses during what some herald as a movie theater south of Tokyo that served as Japan’s golden age of cinema for the country. “It was in Tokyo medieval capital. She never explained her not just me who was shining,” she told the yesterday. sudden departure from the industry, adding top-selling newspaper. “At that time everyone — AP photos to the mystique surrounding her. The mass- was shining.” — AFP ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Mexico Iberoamerican receives PG-13 rating Fenix Film Awards “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” has officially received a PG-13 rat- ing, for content described as “sci- fi action violence.” This will mark the second “Star Wars” film to receive a PG-13 rating, following the most recent installment in the franchise, 2005’s “Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.” All the other movies in the series were released with PG ratings. The seventh film in the popular franchise opens on Dec 18 and is predicted to rack up French actress Cecilia Suarez speaks as Colombia’s Ciro Guerra at least $170 million over its she presents the award for best film at receives one of two best domestic opening weekend. the Fenix Iberoamerican Film Awards at Actor Gael Garcia Bernal director awards for his film El “The Force Awakens” has the Esperanza Iris Theater in Mexico speaks as he present the Abrazo de la Serpiente or already garnered more than $50 City, Wednesday. —AP photos award for best film. The Embrace of the Serpent. Mia Maestro speaks on stage. million in advanced ticket sales. Director JJ Abrams recently announced a charity contest to win tickets to the movie premiere in London or Los Angeles. Through a partnership with Omaze, fans that donate $10 or Actor Gael more can enter the contest to Garcia Bernal, Colombia’s win, with the proceeds going to left, accepts the Marcos 15 different charities chosen by best actress Salvarria, left, the cast and filmmakers. award on behalf and Carlos For those that can’t wait for the of Argentina’s Garcia receives Dec 18 opening, Jimmy Kimmel Dolores Fonzi, the best sound interviewed the cast on a special for her role in award for their “Star Wars” edition of the show the film La work in the film Monday, calling the film “the most Patota or El Abrazo de la anticipated sequel I think since Paulina. Serpiente. the New Testament.” — Reuters.