top ten: kurosawa films

On March 23rd, Akira Kurosawa would have turned 100 years old. In the words of compatriot and fellow filmmaker Kon Ichikawa, “he is the director who best represents Japan and is really one of the world’s greatest directors.”

One of Japan’s most accomplished and internationally-recognised filmmakers, Kurosawa collected awards and praise throughout his fifty-year career, including two BAFTAs, a Silver Berlin Bear, a Special prize of the Berlin Senate, a Palme d’Or, a Golden Lion, a Silver Lion, a Career Golden Lion and an Honourary Academy Award for Career Accomplishments. His mantlepiece was no doubt cluttered, as crammed with golden statues as our minds are flooded with golden moments from his powerful, funny and majestic films. Birthdays are often times to reflect on the past, and that is why our Top Ten this month is being used to reminisce about our favourite Kurosawa films. Happy Birthday, Akira.

10. THE BAD SLEEP WELL

Kurosawa’s first independent co-production is a suit-and-tie noir starring the director’s perennial go-to guy, Toshiro Mifune. As Nishi, a salaryman who marries his boss’ lame daughter for revenge, Mifune has never been better, and Kurosawa sinks his teeth into this tale of intrigue, morality and Japan’s post-occupation economic miracle.

9. HIGH AND LOW

Another Mifune-starring Kurosawa, HIGH AND LOW resembles THE BAD SLEEP WELL in a few more ways as well: it is also a film noir; it critiques the capitalist structure and it raises questions about morality in post-war Japan. But don’t think for an instant that Kurosawa is resting on his laurels: HIGH AND LOW is a thought-provoking and intriguing drama.

8. YOJIMBO

In his 13th collaboration with Kurosawa, Mifune won Venice’s Volpi Cup for his portrayal of the titular YOJIMBO. A samurai who wanders into a warring town and reaps the financial benefits, Yojimbo was the basis for Clint Eastwood’s iconic Joe in Sergio Leone’s FISTFUL OF DOLLARS.

7. IKIRU

Kurosawa turns his scathing eye on bureaucracy’s damaging effect on the individual in IKIRU. Kenji is a civil servant whose existence is thrown into turmoil when he discovers he has cancer. It is only through realising his own imminent mortality that Kenji learns how to really live…

6. THE IDIOT

Based on Dostoyevsky’s novel of the same name, THE IDIOT unites Japanese superstars Toshiro Mifune and Setsuko Hara. Kurosawa faithfully translates his favourite author’s text into a film of unparalleled beauty into which the director felt he “put more of himself than any other picture.”

5. RED BEARD

RED BEARD marks the end of Kurosawa’s collaboration with his muse, Toshiro Mifune. When an arrogant young medical graduate, Dr Yasumoto, arrives at an impoverished local clinic, it is up to his superior – nicknamed Red Beard -  to show him that there is more to life than power and prestige.

4. DRUNKEN ANGEL

…And from the last collaboration with Mifune to the first, DRUNKEN ANGEL marks the beginning of one of the great star/director relationships in film history, as well as being the filmmaker’s first big hit, which is set in the mean streets of yakuza-run Tokyo.

3. THE QUIET DUEL

Powerful and perfectly composed, THE QUIET DUEL tells of an idealistic young surgeon Kyoji Fujisaki, who contracts syphilis while operating on a patient and is left to cope with the horrible ramifications of the accident.

2. RASHOMON

Winner of the Oscar® for Best Foreign Language Film, RASHOMON is set in ancient Japan. When a woman is raped and her husband killed, four stories are played, exposing four different possible scenarios. But which is the truth?

1. SEVEN SAMURAI

Director Akira Kurosawa’s masterpiece about a village that hires seven samurai to protect it from marauding bandits has inspired generations of audiences and film-makers alike. Heralded by many as one of the finest films ever made – SEVEN SAMURAI lives up to its grand reputation. If you only ever see one Asian film in your life (not that there’s any excuse for that), then make it this one.

Want more Kurosawa swash for your buckle? From March 23rd, we at Directors Suite are combining our Kurosawa-power with our mates at Eastern Eye in order to offer you all of the sensai‘s great films for only $19.95 each. This offer is only available for the single-film releases, and only until the end of March. Check it out here and get spending, samurai!