Inspiration for many famous Hollywood directors
1. Japanese filmmaker and director Akira Kurosawa served as an inspiration for many famous Hollywood directors. According to the documentary, what was it about his works that were so influential?
2. Despite winning an award for best international film for “Drive My Car” recently, the Japanese film industry has become a shadow of what it used to be during the era of Kurosawa. According to the lecture what issues in the industry have led to its decline? Do you agree or disagree with these issues and why?
3. Despite the lack of success of live action films, Japanese animation typically does well at the box office (See Demon Slayer: Mugen Train). Some would go as far as to refer to the Japanese film industry as TV+. What does TV+ mean and do you agree or disagree with this opinion. Explain in detail with examples.
Sample Solution
When it comes to naming the greatest filmmaker of all time, a lot of usual suspects are bound to come up – Fellini, Godard, Hitchcock, Kubrick, Bergman, Welles, Truffaut, etc. – but one director that certainly warrants a mention in such a discussion is Akira Kurosawa. Just about every director in Hollywood counts Kurosawa as one of their formative influences. The most obvious influence that Kurosawa has had on modern blockbusters is George Lucas’ creation of Star Wars. Lucas was primarily inspired by the old Flash Gordon serials, but Kurosawa influenced the saga’s samurai elements. The original 1977 Star Wars movie has been read as a soft remake of Kurosawa’s The Hidden Fortress, while the ensuing sequels and spin-offs are rife with Kurosawa references.
