Akira Kurosawa

Cast · Writer · Director

Born

March 23, 1910 · Tokyo, Japan

Died

September 6, 1998

“Man is a genius when he dreams.” Akira Kurosawa was one of the most celebrated Japanese directors in the history of cinema. Going through a complicated family history, in 1935 he discovered an apprentice program for the Tōhō film studios, where he began to take his first steps as an assistant to director Kajiro Yamamoto. Kurosawa debuted as a director in 1943 with Judo Saga, and during the Second World War, he went through a strong period of censorship. In the following years, with international influence, he began to show in his films the problems of post-war Japanese citizens. An example of this stage was One Wonderful Sunday (1947). International recognition came with Rashomon (1950), but it was Seven Samurai (1954) that cemented his place as a master of cinema. Recurring themes revolve around teacher-pupil relationships and clashes over power injustices. His influence extends to iconic directors such as George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, and has shaped the entire action-adventure genre. Other works in his filmography were The Hidden Fortress (1958), Yojimbo (1961) and High and Low (1963). Kurosawa's vision and style continue to be a source of inspiration for filmmakers around the world.