Setsuko Hara has passed away

It looks like this is just being reported even though she passed away in early September. After Ozu died she basically cut herself off from the world. She refused all interviews and public appearances. She never married and never had children. What she did leave were some of greatest performances ever, EVER put on film.

Late Spring is my favorite, but Late Autumn (with Hara now playing the parent trying to marry off her daughter) comes in at a close second. You know you've had a good career when someone ranks your performance in Tokyo Story in third place!

I posted my thoughts on Facebook two days back, so won't go over them but it's a sad loss (even if it sounds like she lived out her life the way she wanted to, and lived a long life.) A truly magnificent film presence and, as mentioned, Ozu's muse. Late Spring is my fave too, though Early Summer comes close--but yes, so many great films.