A Star Athlete (1937) *****

People like me and Ozu get films made by hard work, but Shimizu is a genius... - Kenji Mizoguchi

Quirky and very original little film about a group of college boys in the countryside conducting a series of military style exercises. The first half is surprising and easy-going, while the final segment is truly hilarious. An amazing script by Tobei Kujiraya and Masao Arata (who wrote some of Yasujiro Ozu's best films, including "An Inn In Tokyo"). Superbly directed by Hiroshi Shimizu.