Copyright (c) Pedro Sena 1994
Title: RAN Director: Akira Kurosawa Country: Japan Super Point: Cinematography...the VISION of K.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nowadays, the only real well known Japanese film maker ( unless you happen to be in a film department in a major university ) in America, thanks in part to Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, who went out of their way to make sure this man's best work was remenbered and revered. Must sees include THE SEVEN SAMURAI, THRONE OF BLOOD ( based on Macbeth ), YOJIMBO, DREAMS, KAGEMUSHA, and so many other films,... he is the scourge of Japanese producers, who wish to make billions ( not millions ) while this director just wants to make critically acclaimed work based on his vision. Almost all of his work has been 'stolen' by either Hollywood or Cinecita Roma, who went out of their way to make garbage remakes of the same story. Fortunately, the film copyright system forces the flattery makers to thank the originators with some green backs for their creativity. It says a lot for the copycats, doesn't it.???
RAN is based on William Shakespeare's KING LEAR. And instead of following the story like Shakespeare, Kurosawa turns his three children loose until they not only have destroyed themselves, but also everything in sight. Like LEAR, where we actually feel sorry for the main character, this becomes a tour the force for the lead actors. It's only weak spot, in my estimation, is in the scenes with the FOOL, which tend to lag,... perhaps because his voice is not specially attractive, or 'soft' enough to seduce you with 'his' wisdom. Here, he is a fool breaking down as well, which may explain the awkwardness.
Much like THE SEVEN SAMURAI, the choreography of the battle scenes is so intense, and well done, that you can't help feeling you are there. And you end up taking sides with the father, and thinking the children are full of it. I think this film is more of an 'expose' of the downfall of the feudal lord system in Japanese society ( specially seen today with their economy coming down to reality ... the rise of the middle, and fighting, and working class ) than it is based on the story of King Lear, although the sequence of 'fillers' in between the action is decidedly Shakespeare flavored. Unlike the Shakespeare play, the women in this film ( one in particular ) are the downfall of at least two of the sons. Brutal too!!!
This film is long.
But it is beautifully filmed, and has country side shots which are breath taking,... you can even hear the wind golliwog the mountains several times which is real folks,... ), has no music per se ( a compliment to Peter Brook, ??? ), though Kurosawa doesn't always use music, a sore point with his producers. Kurosawa likes the silence, and the inherent sound effects found naturally. Story goes that he bumped into the sound effects accidentally,... and he has kept them.
Akira Kurosawa's other films are worth seeing, if you decide that you wish to see something which tends to make you think a bit. If your mode is not art films, or curiosity in some one else's point of view, then save your dollar. But HE is GOOD.
5 GIBLOONS Copyright (c) Pedro Sena 1994
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