Akira Kurosawa was a legendary Japanese film director known for films like Seven Samurai and Rashomon. He believed a director needs thorough knowledge of every aspect of film production to effectively command the entire production. Kurosawa was influenced by Western art styles and American directors like John Ford. He is considered one of the greatest and most influential directors of all time for revolutionizing global cinema.

1. By: Curtis Miller

2. “Unless you know every
aspect and phase of the
film-production process,
you can’t be a movie
director. A movie director is
like a front-line
commanding officer. He
needs a thorough
knowledge of every branch
of the service, and if he
doesn’t command each
division, he cannot
command the whole.”
- Akira Kurosawa-

3. BIOGRAPHY
 Born March 23, 1910 in Tokyo  Drunken Angel was his first
Japan. personal expressive work (1948).
 Nicknames: The Emporer, Wind  His film Rashomon introduced
Man. Japanese cinema to the western
 At over 6 ft. tall, he was culture (1950).
extremely large by Japanese  Continued to direct films well
standards. into his eighties.
 Started as a talented painter.  Died September 6, 1998 in Tokyo
 Enrolled in an art school which Japan.
emphasized Western styles.
 Began directing career in 1930
as an assistant director to Kajiro
Yamamoto.

4. FILM TECHNIQUES & TRADE MARKS
 Frequently used the “wipe effect” to fade from one scene to another.
-This effect later became famous due to its usage in the Star Wars
trilogy.
 Use of weather to heighten mood, especially rain.
 Known for doing Shakespearean plays in Feudal Japanese settings.
 Portrays female characters as either sweet but weak and submissive or
deceitful, evil and conniving.
 Portrays driven characters who frequently end up failing in the goals but
ultimately learn hard won life lessons.

5. MAJOR INFLUENCES
 First major influence is a teacher named Tachikawa.
- Tachikawa emphasized strong art education for the young.
- This was Kurosawa’s first introduction to art and film.
 His brother Heigo was another major influence. His love for film was
handed down to Akira.
- Heigo loved film; he was a film narrator/commentator for foreign
silent films.
- His suicide deeply affected Kurosawa’s sensibilities and outlook on life.
 Akira worshipped legendary American Director John Ford
- This was Akira’s primary influence as a filmmaker.

6. TOP KUROSAWA FILMS
 Seven Samurai (1954)
- Described as one of the greatest and most influential films ever made.
- The most technical, creative, and highest-grossing Japanese movie.
- Winner of the Silver Lion award at the Venice Film Festival
 Ran (1985)
- Kurosawa’s last epic film. Hailed for it’s powerful images and use of color.
- The most expensive Japanese film ever produced at the time.
- Nominated for the Academy Awards for art direction, cinematography, and
costume design.
 Throne of Blood (1957)
- Transposes the plot of William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth to feudal Japan.
- Won the Kinema Junpo and MainichiFilm Concours award for best actor and
actress.

7. OTHER TOP KUROSAWA FILMS
 Kagemusha (1980)
 Rashomon (1950)
 Yojimbo (1961)
 Sanjuro (1962)
 Madadayo (1993)
 The Hidden Fortress (1958)

8. OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS
 Voted the 6th greatest director of all time by Entertainment weekly
- This made him the only Asian on a list of 50 directors and the highest
ranking non-American.
 Ranked #6 in Empire (UK) magazine’s “The greatest directors ever”
(2005)
 Made a Fellow of the British Film Institute in recognition of his
outstanding contribution to film culture.
 Won an Oscar for Lifetime Achievement in 1989.

9. RASHOMON TRAILER
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCZ9TguVOIA

10. WORKS CITED
 “Akira Kurosawa School of Film.” Anaheim University. Anaheim
University, 2012. Web. 21 Mar. 2012.
<http://www.anaheim.edu/schools-and-institutes/akira-
kurosawa-school-of-film/225-schools-institutes/akira-kurosawa-
school-of-film/750-akira-kurosawa-biography>.
 IMDb. IMDb.com, Inc., 2012. Web. 23 Mar. 2012.
<http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000041/bio>.
 Top 10 Akira Kurosawa Films. Japan Cinema, 2012. Web. 21
Mar. 2012. <http://japancinema.net/2010/11/13/top-10-akira-
kurosawa-films/>.