Though I've watched films from many different countries in the past few years (Sweden, Italy, France, Germany, etc.) I've found myself drawn in particular to Japanese cinema. So far, I've sampled a large selection of works from two influential Japanese directors: Akira Kurosawa and Hayao Miyazaki. The films made by these two directors have had a great effect on American cinema, and are very accessible due to their relatable themes and engrossing cinematic style.
Kurosawa (1910-1998) was a pioneer for Japanese cinema, and he was held in very high regard by many American filmmakers who often drew upon his work. A Fistful of Dollars was adapted from Yojimbo, Seven Samurai became The Magnificent Seven, and The Hidden Fortress was a major source of inspiration for the original Star Wars.
So far I have viewed two of his films. Throne of Blood, is a retelling of Shakespeare's Macbeth. Set in feudal Japan, a commander named Washizu rises to power after having a prophecy told to him by an evil forest spirit. Washizu, played by the renowned Toshirô Mifune, is a compelling lead for the familiar tale. The film has a very slow and deliberate pace, focusing on Washizu's inner conflict and the inevitable ways in which his schemes unravel. This pace may be off-putting to certain fast-paced modern sensibilities, but the familiar story makes this movie an accessable option for American viewers.
Seven Samurai is a fantastic film about a group of out-of-work samurai who are hired to defend an isolated village from raiders. What made this film work for me was the varied and strong cast, the camaraderie the group of samurai builds as they struggle to do their duty. The comic relief character, Kikuchiyo, stole the show for me, though this is probably due to the fact that he reminded me of an old elementary school friend. The battle scenes are elaborate in scope and well-executed; they have a sense of reality and consequence that current films often fail to capture. This film is a true epic and is not to be missed. It's run time clocks in at a hefty 2 hrs 40 mins, but I was sucked in for the ride and hardly noticed the time going by at all. This is a must-see in my books.
Master of an entirely different genre, Hayao Miyazaki is a Japanese animator whose films resonate with Japanese and American viewers alike. His movies have been nominated for several academy awards, including his 2003 winner for Best Animated Feature, Spirited Away. Whether illustrating children's movies or mature action epics, Miyazaki's unique visual style is well worth looking in to. At this point I've seen a good chunk of his filmography, only missing one or two of his notable films. I've yet to see a film of his that I didn't enjoy on some level --even lesser entries like Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind are so visually fantastic that a stilted storyline is easily overlooked. Far and beyond, my two favorite Miyazaki movies are Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke.
Spirited Away is the story of a young girl named Chihiro who, on her way to move to her new home in the suburbs, becomes lost in a world of spirits and monsters. Her parents are turned into pigs by an old which, and Chihiro is forced to work in a bathhouse to earn their freedom. As strange and unfamiliar as the visuals of this movie may seem, this movie has genuine heart and beauty as Chihiro comes in to her own and works toward her goals. Spirited Away is a wonderful tale appropriate for a family viewing (so long as the kids aren't too young- there is some disturbing imagery throughout).
Every hand-animated frame of the movie is alive with incredible detail and action, and there is always something new to see on repeated viewings. I first saw this film on television at 3 a.m. one lonely summer night. Groggy but unable to sleep at the start of the film, I was immediately entranced and struck by this films emotional power and message. It's a difficult feeling to describe. Suffice it to say this film holds a special place in my heart.
Princess Mononoke one of Miyazaki's more adult films. A young man named Ashitaka searches for a cure to the curse placed upon him by a corrupted boar god. Along the way, he becomes entrenched in a struggle between an industrious mining town and San, a mysterious girl who leads the creatures of the forest to attack the people destroying their habitats. The film has a decidedly environmentalist message, and its depictions of war and violence earns it a PG-13 rating. Whether you're in the mood for a child's coming-of-age tale or for feudal battles and fantastic creatures, Miyazaki has a film to sate your appetite.
The vast majority of Miyazaki's films have been released on DVD in America through Studio Ghibli, a branch of Pixar. Though I'm not usually one for dubbed films, the English voice tracks for Miyazaki's films are of fine quality and star A-list actors such as Liam Neeson, Patrick Stewart, and Uma Thurman. If you can't stand subtitles, you can't go wrong with Studio Ghibli's English renditions of Miyazaki's works.
Well, there you have it. If you're itching for something outside of the Hollywood norm the next to you want to watch a movie, I strongly recommend the four movies I've detailed here. Be adventurous and explore these movies: I promise you they're unlike anything you've seen before. Who knows? Maybe they'll spark a passion to explore other foreign films as well.
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