Akira Kurosawa - Master of Japanese Cinema

Profile of the Director of Seven Samurai, Rashomon,Yojimbo and More

Oct 17, 2008

An introduction to Akira Kurosawa, the artist and film-maker who redefined cinema. The Ran director's life, movies (inc. filmography) and news of an important exhibition.

Akira Kurosawa is probably the most famous Japanese film director who ever lived. His films have had a major impact on the landscape of cinema, and are regularly touted as all time bests. Kurosawa's films entranced Western audiences, with an appeal that made them more successful abroad than they were in his homeland. European and American directors, such as George Lucas and Sergio Leone, revered the Japanese master of cinema.

Akira Kurosawa's Influence on Hollywood

Without Kurosawa there would have been no Magnificent Seven, no Once Upon a Time in the West and probably no Star Wars. Those films having, respectively, been inspired or re-made from Kurosawa's Seven Samurai, Yojimbo and The Hidden Fortress.

Kurosawa himself was in turn inspired and influenced by foreign film directors. He was a great fan of John Ford, maverick Russian director Sergei Eisenstein and India's story-teller supreme Satyajit Ray. Kurosawa also adapted Shakespearean plays for his films. Throne of Blood transposed Macbeth to feudal Japan and Ran did the same with King Lear. Interestingly, Ran, which came towards the end of an illustrious career, was the only one of Kurosawa's Japanese film to receive an Oscar. As deserving as Ran was, everybody knows this is typical academy behaviour. Just like when Paul Newman won towards the end of his career for The Colour of Money, Kurosawa's award was really in honour of a lifetime of cinematic achievements.

Toshiro Mifune and Takashi Shimura – Kurosawa's Leading Men

Akira Kurosawa was a giant of Japanese cinema. Quite literally in his homeland, where at over 6ft tall he towered over his cast and crew. It's unusual to be tall in Japan, so Kurosawa cut an intimidating figure. He also had a reputation as difficult director. There's an infamous yarn about how he once insisted a stream was made to flow in the opposite direction so he could get a better shot. Nevertheless, Kurosawa maintained a loyal troop of actors, who obviously didn't mind his perfectionism. This was, in all likelihood, probably exaggerated by the Japanese press anyway. Kurosawa's favourite actors were Toshiro Mifune and Takashi Shimura, who between them took lead roles in almost all Kurosawa's films.

Exhibition: Akira Kurosawa's Film Artwork on Display

Kurosawa's films have a painterly quality to them. Undoubtedly this is due to Akira's early training as a fine artist. He also, rather than storyboard, painted full size pictures in order to envisage his films. These wonderful artworks are rarely seen outside Japan, although as luck would have it, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences currently has a selection on display in the Grand Lobby and 4th Floor Gallery. (8949 Wilshire Blvd - Until December 14th 2008).

Kurosawa Filmography

Many of Kurosawa's films have won a deserved place in movie history. Here's the complete rundown from the Kurosawa hall of fame. In each case, the film is listed with the title in most common usage here in the West.

After a long and celebrated life in film, Kurosawa died in 1998. Although his career had by no means been all smooth sailing - he suffered bouts of depression, possibly brought on by the early deaths of his 3 siblings - he has left behind a legacy of outstanding films. Kurosawa's artistic vision and dramatic narratives changed the face of cinema. His films have helped define popular culture as we know it. Thanks to Kurosawa, the world is a much more interesting place.

The copyright of the article Akira Kurosawa - Master of Japanese Cinema in Foreign Films is owned by Michelle Strozykowski. Permission to republish Akira Kurosawa - Master of Japanese Cinema in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.