r/Kurosawa

This was not the first Akira Kurosawa movie that I have watched, but it was the first Kurosawa movie in color that I have seen. Not only did it feel like seeing one of Kurosawas movies in color for the first time, it rather felt like experiencing colors in a movie for the first time. Every scene looks absolutely stunning and could easily be mistaken for a painting. Despite the movies long runtime, I could not keep my eyes away from it, due to it being so beautiful. The story is very good as well and the characters feel realistic. I do not want to spoil anything so I will not be talking about the story too much. I would recommend to anyone who did not see the movie yet to watch it.

from Something Like an Autobiography by Akira Kurosawa

Yoshio Tsuchiya grew up in his ancestral home in the countryside of Japan--the very grounds where Akira Kurosawa would later film KAGEMUSHA (1980).

“Andrei Tarkovsky was sitting in the corner of the screening room watching Solaris with me, but he got up as soon as the film was over and looked at me with a shy smile. I said to him, ‘It’s very good. It’s a frightening movie.’ He seemed embarrassed but smiled happily. Then the two of us went to a film union restaurant and toasted with vodka. Tarkovsky, who does not usually drink, got completely drunk and cut off the speakers at the restaurant, then began singing the theme of Seven Samurai at the top of his voice. I joined in, eager to keep up. At that moment, I was very happy to be on Earth.”

Akira Kurosawa met Richard Gere for the first time at a New York Party which was for "Ran" (1985). After that, they ran into each other on several other occasions. When Kurosawa met Gere during a party celebrating Kurosawa's Oscar & his birthday, Kurosawa asked Gere if he was interested in appearing in "Rhapsody in August" (1991).

Gere was overjoyed by the proposal and agreed instantly. In their conversations, Kurosawa was impressed with Gere's knowledge of the Sutras & his interest in Asia and Lamaism. He thought his knowledge was better than some of the Japanese.

At that time, Richard Gere was at the peak of his popularity, just coming out of the huge success of "Pretty Woman" (1990). He was earning several million dollars per movie. Mike Inoue, the Co-producer of "Rhapsody in August" (1991) told Gere that they couldn't afford to pay that kind of money. Right away, Gere said, "I will work free for Kurosawa".

Inoue didn't want to take advantage of Gere's kindness. So, he offered him a minor sum of money & agreed to pay the expenses for the friends he wanted to bring with him to Japan. Cindy Crawford was one of the friends he brought to Japan.

Gere later said of his experience in Japan with Kurosawa,

"'Rhapsody in August' (1991) turned out to be a short, wonderful experience working with one of the greatest masters of our time"

("The Emperor and the Wolf", Stuart Galbraith IV, 2002)

[SOURCE](https://www.thefamouspeople.com/japan.php)

I just wanted to share that Kurosawa’s last film is now available on Blu-ray from Imprint with English subtitles and preorders just started.

Drawing inspired by Throne of Blood.