Floating Weeds is a 1959 Japanese drama film directed by Yasujirō Ozu. It follows a group of travelling actors who visit a small seaport town in southern Japan. The aging master of the troupe, Komajuro Arashi, decides to visit his former lover, Oyoshi, in secret. He has not seen her for over twenty years, and they have a son together named Kiyoshi. However, Kiyoshi believes that Komajuro is his uncle, not his father, since Oyoshi never told him the truth.
Meanwhile, the leading actress of the troupe, Sumiko, becomes jealous of the relationship between Komajuro and Oyoshi. She wants to humiliate him in public and ruin his reputation, so she persuades the younger actress, Kayo, to seduce Kiyoshi. Sumiko believes that if the secret is revealed, Komajuro will lose face and leave the troupe.
However, things do not go according to plan. Oyoshi finds out about the plot and confronts Sumiko. She also tells Kiyoshi the truth about his father. Later, Kayo falls in love with Kiyoshi and becomes conflicted about her role in the deception. The troupe puts on a play in the town, and Kiyoshi finally meets his father on stage.
Floating Weeds is a poignant and elegant film about family, love, and the struggles of aging. It explores themes of identity, tradition, and the tension between the old and the new. Ozu's minimalist style and use of static camera shots add to the contemplative and meditative atmosphere of the film. It is a classic of Japanese cinema and a must-see for fans of Ozu's work.