A ten minute reconstruction of an otherwise lost film, I Graduated But... follows a trajectory of enlightenment towards humble acceptance as Ozu’s similarly titled, I Was Born But… as a recent college graduate named Tetsuo (Minoru Takada), unable to find employment at a position that he believes is commensurate with his education level (his only job offer is as an entry level office receptionist), is visited by his mother after misrepresenting his financial circumstances to her. While there is little material presented, the story does unfold linearly. However, Ozu’s development of plot through quietly observed interactions and situations – the essence of his cinema – is unavoidably compromised.
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