Akira Kurosawa marathon today

strider

In honor of the 100th anniversary of Akira Kurosawa's birth, Turner Classic Movies is having a marathon of his films today.

Even if you've never seen one of his films, more then likely you've seen a film that's a remake of one of his, and most defintiely have seen a film by one of the many filmmakers inspired by him. The Magnificent Seven was a remake of his film Seven Samurai. Directors whom he influenced range from Bergman and Fellini to Sam Peckinpah and George Lucas.

High and Low, also known as Heaven and Hell, is my personal favorite. The battle scenes between immense samurai armies are shot with such attention to detail and artistry they make Braveheart look like a film school project.

Seven Samurai comes on tonight at 9:30 eastern. Definitely something to check out.

cnh

That's great stuff. Kurosawa was my favorite director. Incredible.....even the non-samurai stuff....if you have a chance and its on, catch Ikiru (To Live). A film Kurosawa made to pull himself out of a suicidal depression...B&W! Incredible depth and understanding of the human condition.

I'm sorry I'm missing this overseas!

cnh

John30_30

Too cool. Probably my all-time favorite movie is Kagemushu, The Shadow Warrior. It also has some great samurai battle scenes, although those are secondary. An amazing sequence is how the sniper plans his night shot from the castle.

Norm Apter

Yes, Kurosawa is personal favorite of mine too....especially Roshomon and Ran, but also Seven Samurai and Kagemushu. Great stuff. This is one of the rare times when I regret not having cable television.

I like Zhang Yimou's (the well-known contemporary Chinese filmmaker) quote on Kurosawa: "Other filmmakers have more money, more advanced techniques, more special effects. Yet no one has surpassed him"

Danny Tse

cnh wrote: »

I'm sorry I'm missing this overseas!

cnh....are you in China? If you are, what's the impression of Kurosawa over there?

Norm Apter wrote: »

I like Zhang Yimou's (the well-known contemporary Chinese filmmaker) quote on Kurosawa: "Other filmmakers have more money, more advanced techniques, more special effects. Yet no one has surpassed him"

It will also be hard to surpass Zhang's staging of the opening/closing ceremonies to the Beijing Olympics.

cnh

Danny Tse wrote: »

cnh....are you in China? If you are, what's the impression of Kurosawa over there?



It will also be hard to surpass Zhang's staging of the opening/closing ceremonies to the Beijing Olympics.

Yes I am in China...but outside of the film community it's hard to answer your question as many younger Chinese are not familiar with Kurosawa's work.

In my opinion Zhang Yimou is the greatest filmmaker of his generation and perhaps the best Chinese director period so that's high Praise for Akira!

From what I understand it's the same in Japan, younger generations of Japanese often don't get it and can't appreciate Kurosawa's films?

cnh

John30_30

cnh wrote: »

Yes I am in China...but outside of the film community it's hard to answer your question as many younger Chinese are not familiar with Kurosawa's work.

In my opinion Zhang Yimou is the greatest filmmaker of his generation and perhaps the best Chinese director period so that's high Praise for Akira!

cnh

Zhang Yimou has been a favorite of mine for years. Everything he does is a sensory treat, truly a master craftsman.
If you ever get a chance to rent Red Sorghum Red Sorghum[his 1st, I think], it's a masterpiece.

Norm Apter

John30_30 wrote: »

Zhang Yimou has been a favorite of mine for years. Everything he does is a sensory treat, truly a master craftsman.
If you ever get a chance to rent Red Sorghum Red Sorghum[his 1st, I think], it's a masterpiece.

That's a great one. But my two favorites of Zhang's are To Live and The Story of Qiu Ju. The former is a heart-wrenching epic, underscoring the trials and tribulations of normal folk during the birth of "modern" China while also appealing to more general human values/sensibilties that extend beyond China. The latter offers a fascinating glimpse into the informal and formal dynamics of the judicial system and an up-close look at life in contemporary, rural China.

I have tremendous respect for Zhang, but I think his best work as a film director was done in the late 80s and the mid 90s (Red Sorghum, Raise the Red Lantern, Qiu Ju, and To Live). I haven't enjoyed his films as much from Shanghai Triad on. His subsequent attempts to get into the genre of warrior-kung film just don't have the same magic for me.

cnh

Norm Apter wrote: »

That's a great one. But my two favorites of Zhang's are To Live and The Story of Qiu Ju. The former is a heart-wrenching epic, underscoring the trials and tribulations of normal folk during the birth of "modern" China while also appealing to more general human values/sensibilties that extend beyond China. The latter offers a fascinating glimpse into the informal and formal dynamics of the judicial system and an up-close look at life in contemporary, rural China.

I have tremendous respect for Zhang, but I think his best work as a film director was done in the late 80s and the mid 90s (Red Sorghum, Raise the Red Lantern, Qiu Ju, and To Live). I haven't enjoyed his films as much from Shanghai Triad on. His subsequent attempts to get into the genre of warrior-kung film just don't have the same magic for me.

I'd have to agree with you Norm.

I also think the earlier pieces were the best. And I love the Qiu Ju (Story) for the very reasons you mention..it's a wonderful glimpse into the problems of the state, justice and the local level. In fact it pretty much takes you up the Chinese ladder as it unfolds and our heroine seeks redress for the beating of her husband from various Officials?

(Any job bites yet?)

cnh

hearingimpared

Kurosawa did some awesome work! I'm sorry I missed the marathon. I do catch a lot of his movies on the IFN channel.