Silents at the Senate Presents: A Story of Floating Weeds (1934) 

Sat. Nov. 22 

Doors – 7:00 PM  

Film – 8:00 PM  

Tickets - $12 

1hr 29min | NR | Drama | Japan

Live Organ Accompaniment by Andrew Rogers

Pipe chamber tour to follow 

Silents at the Senate closes out its 2025 season with a moving family drama from a Japanese master of cinema, Yasujiro Ozu’s A Story of Floating Leaves. Live organ accompaniment will be provided by Andrew Rogers on our Mighty Wurlitzer theater pipe organ! 

Few directors enjoy as much reverence amongst filmmakers and critics as Ozu. His innovative style eschewed trends set by Hollywood, expanding the language of cinema as he told his stories in unique and elegantly subtle visual dialect. It is an influential approach to filmmaking, both in commercial and arthouse cinema, and its hallmarks can be seen in the work of such luminary directors as Paul Scrader, Jim Jarmusch, and Kelly Reichardt. 

Filmed nearly two decades before Tokyo Story, (his best-known masterpiece) A Story of Floating Leaves is one of Ozu’s final silent films and shows the director already operating at a high level of craftsmanship. It tells a story of social strictures and family secrets set against the backdrop of a traveling acting troupe on its last legs, doing so with quiet intensity and empathy.  

And, as always, following the silent film presentation patrons will have a chance to take a tour of the organ pipe chambers. Additionally, the organist for the evening will be available to field any questions you may have about theater organ and the art of silent film accompaniment! 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue