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Akira Kurosawa's Dreams Actors: Akira Terao, Mitsuko Baisho Directors: Ishirô Honda, Akira Kurosawa Number of Items: 1 Picture Format: Anamorphic Widescreen Format: Color, Widescreen Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) Running Time: 120 minutes Studio: Warner Home Video Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Region Code: 1 Product Group: DVD Release Date: 2003-03-18 Buy from Amazon |
 "A Study of Death and Beauty""Sun Under the Rain" is the first short film in this "movie." As rain cascades onto a slate gray house, a young boy is told he must stay home. Soon his curiosity compels him to wander in the forest. The sunlight filters through mist weaving its way through the giant trees in layers of enchanting vertical art. At times the rain appears like glitter against the wet rust bark. There is a sense of mystery as the young boy hides behind a tree and watches a fantastical wedding procession. Upon returning home he is told he must face his fear and ask forgiveness (or die) for watching the fox's wedding procession. We are then rewarded with fields of flowers and a rainbow. This is the first in a series of eight short dreams that seem to be dealing with various elements of death. In the first movie, there is a choice between death or asking forgiveness. This introduces the idea of death and in the next short film about a peach orchard, the idea is taken one step further. The peach orchard is cut down and this introduces the idea of death in nature. Tree spirits discuss their tragic end with the child and dance in four magical rows where the trees were planted. As a child cries over the loss of the peach blossoms he says: "Peaches can be bought. But where can you buy a whole orchard of blossoms?" The first two films contain magical elements to surprise and delight the inner child. The Blizzard and Avalanche will try your patience at first, but as with many of the films, your patience is well rewarded. Just as we are losing hope, a snow goddess arrives and seems to be an angel of death lulling a climber into sleep, as if to calmly steal his soul while the wind whips her hair in an erotic dance of nature. As he lays covered in snow, she places layers of what appears to be a magical shawl over his shoulders. She keeps saying things like: "The ice is hot." I kept thinking this was a study in hope and yet the elements of death were very present. Expect the unexpected in this section. The Tunnel brings us to the concept of fearing the unknown or not accepting our death. The walking dead appear and there is a sense of having lived an unfulfilled life or dying for causes that were not worth more than life itself. This is when Akira Kurosawa starts to delve into political aspects and death's stark reality in war. Another film shows the dangers of nuclear power and Mt Fuji glows with a ruby shimmer and seems to be melting. The images of the demons in pain gave me nightmares the night after I watched this movie. The images of blood-red lakes and demons, in what seems like emotional and physical agony, was enough to make me dream about hell. In fact the night after I viewed these short films, I had many "short film dreams" of my own. One of my favorite sections is "Crows," where an artist steps into a Van Gogh painting. The film has many surprises, but very little plot. Mostly we are viewing two painters walking through their own art and discussing their view of the world. Crows is much more about visual delight and a surprising ending. "The Village of the Watermills," takes place in a picturesque village complete with a dreamy river and little bridges. Here death is celebrated and life is revered. The water rushes over long flowing underwater grass growing from the riverbed. We are faced with questions about our modern reality. Is it as comforting as living in a village? Is our modern village somewhat lacking in community? Do our funerals focus too much on our sorrow and less on the celebration of a life well lived? I watched this twice and noticed quite a few new elements on the second viewing. I want to go sit by the river in the Watermill village and watch the long grass weave back and forth in the water and the child in me wants to be walking in the front of the funeral procession, tossing flower petals in front of the dancers. ~TheRebeccaReview.com  "Akira Kurosawa's Dreams"You have to appreciate having a unique perspective to enjoy this movie. I always remembered the title as being A.K. Strange Dreams, because they are just that. Some leave you smiling and others leave you oddly displaced by their turn of events. You are left to interpret your own "moral of the story" and regardless of the unusual role play, the vividness of imagery and imagination he creates is worth watching. I recognized the pattern of each dream growing from childhood to old age, and likened it to the progression of life itself, in spite of the "strange" circumstances that come our way.  "Lucious photography; compelling "stories;" dated politics"The cinematography and imagery of these dreams are so "perfect" for the message(s), that the viewer is immediately drawn into the film. That the film is Japanese is not a barrier. Rather, the film successfully presents the imagery in a manner that allows an outside (Westerner) to understand the images and inuitively grasp the mythology and culture behind the film. Two dreams "Mount Fuji in Red" and "The Weeping Demon" do not make the historical leap, however. They are interesting "period pieces." "Mount Fuji in Red," an anti-nuclear piece, is mired strident views of its time - not rising to the more universal threat. Note, however, that "The Tunnel", an anti-war piece does continues to powerfully express its views. "Crows" which is based on Vincent Van Gogh's work, shows Kurosawa adapting Western imagery to his Japanese work. This is a wonderful piece that illustrates how cultural divisions can be bridged by film, film relying primarily on visual (rather than verbal) material. Fear, loneliness, death, joy, environmental concerns, peace and warfare, otherness ... many of the major themes of life are explored beautifully in this film. Highly recommended. ""Dreams" Are Stunning in DVD"If you love this film, and own either an "official" VHS issue or an off-the-air taping, forget about it and order this DVD now, before the supply is gone. The stunning imagery that enthralled you before is seen in its true glory in the DVD transfer--and it won't fade or blur as the tape does--and will. I couldn't be happier with this disc!  "Second Childhood"A silly inept movie made by Kurosawa in his dotage. The only people who go gaga over this one are people who haven't seen Kurosawa's best work. Or maybe people who don't know what real movies are. Go see 7 Samurai or Ran before you see this one. |
