FILM.
A MESSAGE FROM AKIRA KUROSAWA: FOR BEAUTIFUL MOVIES
2000 | DIRECTED BY HISAO KUROSAWA
Making a movie is hard work!
Kurosawa shows us just how hard in ten chapters each covering a different piece of filmmaking.
It almost feels like a dare. Or an, “If you dare.”
To take on the art form as he does, at least. His thoroughness, his preparation, his execution, his attention to minute detail, it’s awe-inspiring and intimidating.
To give just one example, in Seven Samurai, he had actors wear their peasant costumes home and mark where they got dirty so they could be rubbed down with a pumice stone to make them look authentically worn.
Kurosawa’s chock full of insights; every clip and quote delivers a nugget of wisdom. Like when he reveals he edits after every round of rushes to make the film crew better at their jobs by showing them what the movie is supposed to look like.
He’s this hardworking and intentional about everything, from writing and storyboarding to lighting and music to set design and shooting. Because for Kurosawa, “Each fragment of imagery is a piece of art in itself.”
Funny I just talked about his “beautiful images” and then found out his whole project is to connect people through their power.
READ HERE.