AKIRA KUROSAWA

 1910-1998

 

VOCABULARY:

 

filmmaker,      siblings,           film industry,              director,          categories,      breakthrough,

 

international award,               influenced,                  blizzard,           heat wave,      portrayal,        epic,

 

inspired,          classic,                        western,          adaptation,                  thriller,                        kidnapping,

 

acknowledged,            science fiction,            artistic differences,                resigned,         financial failure,        

unsuccessfully,           suicide,            memoir,           version,           visually,          environmental warnings,

 

pacifist

 

QUESTIONS:

 

  1. Akira Kurosawa is known as the “Sensei of the Cinema.” Who was your favorite teacher in school?

 

  1. He was born in Tokyo as the youngest of four brothers and four sisters. How many siblings do you have? Are you the youngest, middle or oldest child?

 

  1. Although his father was a strict military man, he encouraged his son to go to the cinema. What activities did you enjoy as a child?

 

  1. He loved art but couldn’t make a living as a painter. He entered the film industry in 1936 as an assistant director. What is your hobby?

 

  1. He directed his first movie in 1943 called Sugata Sanshiro/judo Saga about the jidai-geki tradition. What was the first job that you ever had?

 

  1. One of two categories of films during the 1920’s was jidai-geki, which were period films about a lone heroic swordsman. What type of movies do you enjoy?

 

  1. The other category was gendai-geki, or current day films, that reflected changes in society. Do you prefer change or do you want things to stay the same?

 

  1. He was married in 1945 to Kayo Kato, the main actress in The Most Beautiful. Where did you meet your spouse?

 

  1. His first son Hisao was born a few months later. Do you have any children? How many?

 

  1. His breakthrough film was Rashomon in 1950. The title refers to the city gates in Kyoto. How many times have you visited Kyoto? What do you like to visit in Kyoto?

 

  1. Rashomon was the first Japanese film to win an international award at the Venice Film Festival. Have you ever won an award? What was it?

 

  1. This film also started the career of Mifune Tashiro, who starred in 16 of Kurosawa’s 31 films. Who is your favorite actor and actress?

 

  1. His film The Idiot (Hakuchi, 1951) was greatly influenced by the Dostoevsky novel. What type of books do you like to read?

 

  1. The Idiot takes place in Hokkaido during a winter blizzard, and  his film Stray Dogs takes place during a Tokyo summer heat wave. Do you prefer summer or winter activities?

 

  1. Ikuru (To Live), in 1952, was a beautiful portrayal about a dying man with only six months to live. What is the most important goal in your life?

 

  1. His next movie (1954) was an epic, Seven Samurai (Shichinin No Samurai).  It is considered one of the best films ever made. What do you think is the best movie ever made?

 

  1. This movie inspired the classic American western The Magnificent Seven. Do you prefer American or Japanese movies?

 

  1. Throne of Blood (1957) was an adaptation from Shakespeare’s Macbeth, but set in medieval Japan. Have you ever read any works by William Shakespeare? Which one(s)?

 

  1. Another classic film was Yojimbo (1961). It was remade into A Fistful of Dollars, the first of the popular “spaghetti westerns.”  What is your favorite Italian food?

 

  1. High and Low, (1963) from the Ed McBain novel, was a creative thriller about a kidnapping. Is there a lot or a little crime where you live?

 

  1. The Shadow Warrior  (1980) won the Grand Prix award at Cannes. Have you ever traveled to France? What cities did you visit?

 

  1. George Lucas acknowledged that Kurosawa’s, The Hidden Fortress (Kakushi toride no san akunin) in 1958 greatly influenced him when he was creating his movie Star Wars. Do like to watch science fiction movies? Which ones do you like?

 

  1. He was signed to direct part of Tora, Tora, Tora but he resigned due to artistic differences. Have you ever resigned from a job because you didn’t like it?

 

  1. In the 1970’s his career and health suffered due to his first financial failure, Dodes’ka-den. He unsuccessfully attempted suicide. Do you have health problems or are you in good health?

 

  1. In 1975 he spent two years filming a movie in Siberia called Dersu Uzala. It won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film. Have you ever watched the Academy Awards? Have you ever visited the U.S.? What state(s) did you visit?

 

  1. In 1980 he returned to the samurai theme with the epic Kagemusha. What movies have you seen about samurai?

 

  1. He published his memoir, “Something Like an Autobiography,” in 1982. What is your best memory as a child?

 

  1. Ran (1985) was a thrilling version of Shakespeare’s “King Lear,” for which he earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Director. Do you enjoy films with or without violence?

 

  1. Many of the scenes from the visually beautiful Dreams (1990) contained environmental warnings. Are you concerned about the environment?

 

  1. Rhapsody in August (1991) shows Kurosawa’s pacifist nature. It serves as a memorial to those killed during World War II. Do you think that pacifism is a good or bad idea?

 

  1. Many of the most popular filmmakers say that they were greatly influenced by his work. Who do you think influenced you the most?

 

  1. In 1994  Kurosawa  was awarded an Academy Award Lifetime Achievement Award. What would you most like to be remembered for?

                                                                 Akira Kurosawa               

 

FOOTNOTE:

 

Akira Kurosawa died on September 6, 1998 leaving a legacy of 31 films.  He is considered a genius among filmmakers and his influence upon new directors is unsurpassed.

 

 

Please ask your teacher at least three questions about Akira Kurosawa or movies.

 

 

WEBSITES:

 

http://www.kurofan.com/

 

http://www2.tky.3web.ne.jp/~adk/kurosawa/filmo/AKfilmo.html

 

http://members.aol.com/MG4273/kurosawa.htm

 

http://www.time.com/time/asia/asia/magazine/1999/990823/kurosawa1.html

 

 

IDIOMS AND EXPRESSIONS:

 

There is no business like show business      Most entertainers will agree that there is no business like

                                                                        show business.

 

You ought to be in pictures                          “You ought to be in pictures,” said the agent to the hopeful

                                                                        starlet.

 

That’s all folks                                               “That’s all folks,” joked the host of the fundraiser.

 

Movie magic                                                  Children have always been delighted by movie magic.

 

 

 

Lesson written by LBH

Edited by HTS