The Legend that is Kurosawa

When revered film director David Lynch was told that one can watch movies on mobiles, his was not an enthusiastic response. “It’s such a sadness that you think you’ve seen a film on your %*&#!*$ telephone. Get real.”

Well, he’s right.

While the iPhone is perfect for watching viral videos and a dose of MTV, who can fully appreciate a movie on a cell phone? Lynch’s sentiment resonates with those who believe that the power of cinema cannot be truly felt unless you’re in a theater.

This school of thought is not unfounded. There really are films that require an investment of time, money and attention and in return, the viewer gets rewarded by a visual, emotional and intellectual feast.

One example is Akira Kurosawa’s repertoire, which the Japan Foundation screens in Manila this month to commemorate his 100th birth anniversary.

Throne Of Blood © 1957 Toho Co., Ltd.

Kurosawa launched his career after the Second World War — a time when Japan was rebuilding their nation from scratch.

In a few years, he was able to bring pride to his homeland when Rashoman — the film credited to exposing Japanese cinema to the world — won the 1951 Venice Golden Lion Award.

Apart from expanding the reach of Japanese films, he is also credited for solidifying the acting career of Toshiro Mifune, whom he collaborated with on 16 films of his 30 films.

Known for his visual genius, Kurosawa is a perfectionist of the composition and shot, which many attribute to his prior career as a painter. In his film debut Sanshiro Sugata, he staged the final fight sequence in a wind-swept field, which enveloped the fighters and in turn, enhanced the drama of the battle.

It was then that he earned the nickname kaze-otoko or the “wind man,” which stuck throughout his career.

Kurosawa continued to make use of similar techniques, harnessing elements of weather such as strong rain and heavy snow to heighten the mood and impart distinct feelings to the audience.

Apart from the visuals, Kurosawa’s stories are also paramount to his success. He tells honest portrayals of the essence of life, taking inspiration from classic literature like Shakespeare and Dostoyevsky.

He was once quoted as saying, “With a good script, a good director can produce a masterpiece. With the same script, a mediocre director can produce a passable film. But with a bad script even a good director can’t possibly make a good film. For truly cinematic expression, the camera and the microphone must be able to cross both fire and water. The script must be something that has the power to do this.”

The universality of his stories is proved by the number of films that was reinvented in the west. His epic Seven Samurai (1954) was turned into The Magnificent Seven (1960) and The Hidden Fortress (1958) inspired Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope (1977).

The Most Beautiful © 1944 Toho Co., Ltd.

With such vast and influential work, Kurosawa was cited by CNN as one of the five individuals who “have contributed to the betterment of Asia in the past 100 years.”

The legendary film director and screenwriter was also awarded the Academy Award for Lifetime Achievement in 1990, for a career that spanned over 50 years and 30 films. He is undoubtedly an unparalled force in the world of cinema, inspiring directors Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas, who in turn, have inspired young filmmakers today.

The Kurosawa film retrospective will be held from Sept. 15 to 30 and show 21 Kurosawa classics including classics like Throne of Blood, Seven Samurai and Rashomon.

If you’re like me whose only Kurosawa experience is through DVD, these showings present an opportunity to truly feel the power of his films.

Hardcore Kurosawa film lovers still have something to look forward to as the movies will be shown in its original 35mm format. In this light, we can truly see what legendary director intended us to.

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Regular screenings will be held at the CCP Dream Theater from Sept. 15 to 19 (10 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and at the UP Film Institute from Sept. 22 to 30 (1 p.m. to 7 p.m.). For detailed information and screening schedules, please access the Japan Foundation, Manila website at http://www.jfmo.org.ph/ or call the JFM at telephone numbers (+632) 811-6155 to 58. Admission is free.