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What Did the Lady Forget?

Name: What Did the Lady Forget?
Director: Yasujirō Ozu
Released: 1937
Duration: 71 min

Representation Score

5.7/10

Fair

1937

Director

Yasujirō Ozu

Runtime

71 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Ozu’s film challenges the rigid social norms of 1937 Japan by focusing on youthful rebellion. Setsuko’s actions disrupt established traditions and highlight the tension between old and new. While the film lacks LGBTQ+ representation and a diverse cast, it effectively critiques traditional values through its portrayal of modern behaviors.

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Category Breakdown

Does What Did the Lady Forget? have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film doesn't include any explicit LGBTQ+ characters or non-straight relationships. It focuses on family conflicts within a traditional household rather than queer identities.

How does What Did the Lady Forget? portray gender?

Good

Setsuko breaks traditional gender roles by acting as a liberated figure who play a significant role in driving the story. Tokiko also challenges the passive female stereotype with her assertive personality.

How racially and ethnically diverse is What Did the Lady Forget??

Fair

The film features a homogeneous Japanese cast typical of its time. It explores regional identity distinctions between Osaka and urban areas.

How does What Did the Lady Forget? represent religion and culture?

Good

The story questions traditional social norms by highlighting Setsuko's modern behaviors, such as smoking. This emphasizes individual freedom over strict adherence to customs.

Does What Did the Lady Forget? include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no visible or mentioned depictions of physical or neurodivergent disabilities in the narrative.

Present on Screen

Highlights the tension between traditional values and modern behaviors.
Features Setsuko as a catalyst for challenging established norms.
Explores the tension between tradition and modernity.

Limited or Absent

Lacks LGBTQ+ identities or non-straight relationships.
Features a homogeneous cast with no multi-ethnic diversity.
Provides no depiction of characters with physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

A professor, Komiya, and his bossy wife, Tokiko, are to look after Setsuko, their high-spirited niece from Osaka. Despite being a minor, Setsuko is a liberated woman who does whatever she wants, including smoking. She even convinces Koyima to take her to a geisha house. When she gets rather tipsy, the professor calls Okada, one of his students, to take her home. The wife becomes suspicious of Setsuko when she sees Okada bringing her home.

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