Details

Subject(s)

• Kurosawa, Akira 1910-1998—Criticism and interpretation [Browse]
• Motion pictures—Japan—History—20th century [Browse]
• Japan—In motion pictures [Browse]

Library of Congress genre(s)

• Film criticism [Browse]

Summary note

• Akira Kurosawa's films evolved as Japan redefined and reinvented itself, from films made for Japan's wartime regime to those made amid the trials of American occupation. This book explores how Kurosawa's classics depict the political, economic, cultural, sexual and environmental upheavals of a nation at the centre of a turbulent century.
• "The samurai films of legendary Japanese director Akira Kurosawa are set in the past, but they tell us much about the present, as do his crime stories, romances, military films, medical dramas and art films. Kurosawa's movies are beloved for their ageless protagonists and haunting vistas of old Japan, but we haven't yet fully grasped everything they can teach us about modern Japan. This detailed study of all thirty of Kurosawa's films analyzes the links between the thrilling narratives onscreen and the equally remarkable events that occurred in Japan over his long, productive career. Kurosawa's films adapted and evolved as Japan redefined and reinvented itself, from films made for Japan's wartime regime to those made amid the trials of American occupation. Kurosawa's films also include lavish epics from the "economic miracle" years and searching masterpieces he made with international assistance in a globalizing world. This book explores how Kurosawa's classics depict the political, economic, cultural, sexual and environmental upheavals of a nation at the center of a turbulent century, whether directly or through period-piece mythmaking"-- Provided by publisher.

Bibliographic references

Includes bibliographical references (pages 239-245) and index.

Contents

• Introduction: Kurosawa and the Japanese Century
• Part One. The War Years
• 1. Sanshiro Sugata
• 2. The Most Beautiful
• 3. Sanshiro Sugata Part II
• Part Two. The Occupation Years
• 4. The Men Who Tread on the Tiger's Tail
• 5. No Regrets for Our Youth
• 6. One Wonderful Sunday
• 7. Drunken Angel
• 8. The Quiet Duel
• 9. Stray Dog
• 10. Scandal
• 11. Rashomon
• 12. The Idiot
• 13. Ikiru
• Part Three. The Miracle Years
• 14. Seven Samurai
• 15. Record of Living Things
• 16. Spiderweb Castle
• 17. The Lower Depths
• 18. The Hidden Fortress
• 19. The Bad Sleep Well
• 20. Yojimbo
• 21. Tsubaki Sanjuro
• 22. Heaven and Hell
• 23. Redbeard
• Part Four. The Global Years
• 24. Dodesukaden
• 25. Dersu Uzala
• 26. Kagemusha
• 27. Ran
• 28. Dreams
• 29. Rhapsody in August
• 30. Mādadayo.

Show 32 more Contents items

ISBN

• 1476686742 ((paperback))
• 9781476686745 ((paperback))

OCLC

1285579026

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