Akira Kurosawa Moving Motions

The history of cinema now spans for more than a century and is filled with many influential filmmakers who have left an impactful mark. Akira Kurosawa is arguably one of the most influential, innovative, and creative filmmakers that has left a legacy in cinematic history. Kurosawa not only has impacted the Japanese film industry but film industries all around the world. Akira Kurosawa depicts his distinctive techniques when it comes down to composition with the extent movement of camera and characters throughout his films creating differentiation from any other film producer.

Akira Kurosawa aimed to tell and demonstrate the story within the film in the most interesting way possible. Throughout many of his famous films, Kurosawa explored the movement of cameras which highly pleased the audience. One of his most popular works, “Rashomon”, which was produced in the year 1950, went to the extent of exposing himself as a director as well as the category of japanese cinema to different places all around the world. The film had many characters each share a different perspective behind a conflict and show their side. The reason for the film being successful and effective is because of the way Akira Kurosawa framed the characters, which enabled the camera to tell its own story and be manipulative. Kurosawa shot frames from different angles that allowed the viewer to see the characters more clearly and see more of what is actually happening in the surroundings without missing anything, and also adding more excitement. Kurosawa’s work became “notable for its skill at fluid tracking shots, where the cameras keep pace with rapidly moving characters” (Parker 512).

In the scenes of battle and drama in the film, Akira constantly switched the focus on a particular action and character which allows for a much more dynamic feeling. Every camera move allows the viewer to gain a new piece of information that would not be noticeable without the movement of the camera. As a result, “Kurosawa is able to create a dynamic montage of violent action, with occasional sequences in slow motion-or even momentary freezes” (Parker 512). The dedicative and extensive camera movement as well framework allowed this film to be praised and bring international acclaim to Akira Kurosawa on an international level. This distinctive technique is one of the many reasons Akira Kurosawa is remembered as a great filmmaker and director in the history of cinema.

Through exploring the influential techniques of Akira Kurosawa, one that also makes his vision while directing distinctive is the action and movement of the characters throughout different scenes and frames of his films. Akira Kurosawa creates a focus on the actions of the characters that is a key component of the films he created. Every action taken by a character feels monumental because it is displayed clearly and is able to be recognized. This technique is very much seen throughout his most influential film, “Seven Samurai”, which is said to have influenced more films than any other. Throughout the major action in the scenes of the three hour movie, Akira Kurosawa makes sure the audience is not only able to see the full action every character takes but also what the consequence will be as opposed of cutting right before the viewer gets to see it. There is “always so much going on, so many ways the artist has of calling attention to his artistry” (American 68). The actions of the characters display the greatness of Akira Kurosawa because they are designed to match with emotion within the conflicts and struggles the characters experience. This adds more clarity to the circumstances and is what gauges the audience and brings differentiation to his filmmaking and directing.

Akira Kurosawa is remarkable for “the pains he takes to establish authenticity in the minutest detail of his sixteenth century” ( Parker 511). Akira Kurosawa emphasizes the major scenes where the actions take place and avoids censoring the violence and consequences of the characters so the audience can actually feel the weight of what is actually being done. The mastering of directing the actions and movement of characters within the films is one of the remarkable ways Kurosawa is able to influence many other films and why they come to influence and change the production of many films.

Akira Kurosawa’s long lasting legacy is also a direct result of his use of japanese tradition in his major films. Akira Kurosawa was born in Japan which had a major effect on the types of films and quality he produced. He is “unquestionably a product of and a spokesman for his own time and culture”( Faust 274). Kurosawa’s major films had a traditional japanese background that automatically made his films different from other producers. Although, Akira Kurosawa was at times influenced by the west, his films would still carry a japanese style all throughout. For many of his films “Kurosawa kept coming back to the period of breakdown of central authority and of warlord rule in 16th century Japan for the settings of his films”( American 69). Most of Akira’s early work can demonstrate the influence the time period of Japan he was currently living in had towards the creation and production. While Japan had many ongoing events, Akira used this to create plots and sceneries for his films and created a connection between the both.

Many of his films that depicted japanese tradition enabled for the japanese film industry to get recognized. His highly successful films carried Japanese traditions throughout which allowed for the film industry of Japan achieve the status it has in the world today. The differentiation in Kurosawa’s films is what paved the pathway to him being the most influential and important filmmakers in cinematic history. It also led him to be among the few people who most contributed to the betterment of Asia in the 20th century. As previously mentioned Akira’s major film, ”Rashomon”, came to win many awards for best foreign films causing japanese films to attract serious attention all over the world. Many of his other famous works have also been adapted to fit the composition that carries a japanese style aids in making his films so successful because the audience is exposed to something new. Akira Kurosawa’s composition of filmmaking is what distinguished his films from any other producer in cinematic history.

Akira Kurosawa’s distinctive vision and style when filmmaking has been highly important to the history of cinema. His production and focus on camera movement and characters have distinguished him as as a filmmaker and director. His films have explored the many reasons why they have long lasting influence and what makes them distinguishable when compared to other films. Akira has proven in many different way why he is highly important in the history of cinema. The famous director has come to influence many different aspects of the filmmaking industry in many ways. His unique productions is one of the reasons why Kurosawa will continue to be viewed as a highly important screenwriter, producer, or filmmaker. Akira’s compositions have not only influenced the status of Japanese cinema but the status of cinema all throughout the world and that is what makes him so influential when it comes to not only the history of cinema but modern cinema as well.