Having been born in 1920, it’s hardly any shock that Setsuko Hara has passed away; and having entirely disappeared from the public spotlight by 1963, it isn’t so odd that only today, November 25, do we learn of a death that occurred on September 5. But the actress, as iconic as any that Japanese cinema has ever given us, radiated such grace, warmth, and kindness through several masterpieces of the post-war era that many a cinephile, yours truly included, take the news with a heavy heart.
If there’s any consolation — other than the knowledge that she died sans media attention, as was very likely wished — it’s that several films showcasing her brilliance can be streamed online. (Assuming you have a Hulu subscription, that is.) The collection of directors represented here, who were pulled towards and made her a regular collaborator, speaks volumes: Yasujiro Ozu, Akira Kurosawa, and Mikio Naruse. There may not be a bad picture in this bunch, though, for today at least, her presence — always a large part of why they’d leave an imprint — ensures they’ll carry a heavier weight.
You can stream them below, as well as a behind-the-scenes video of Hara on the set of Kurosawa’s No Regrets for Our Youth: