Akira Kurosawa's Dreams (1990)

 dreams
I think Kurosawa's best, especially the Van Gough sequence, with the Cherry Blossoms a close second. April 5, 2008

 Out There..
Good as far creative film, but hard to watch if you are looking for a plot. I have had a few friends think I am crazy for buying these movies off amazon, but you don't know if they will make some sort of impact in you life until you watch them. Buy them all because the more you see the better perspective you have on the film industry and on life... January 20, 2008

 Pontificating trumps storytelling sublety
This anthology of short films by the great director Akira Kurosawa based on his dreams reveals a deep concern for the relationship between man and nature. As one would expect, there are many extraordinary visuals on display here. The first vignette, in which a young boy enters the forest on a rainy day in the hope of witnessing a wedding of foxes, begins the film beautifully. It is startling, mysterious, and fearsome; the boy can be seen as a representative of all mankind, intruding thoughtlessly on the natural world without care for the consequences...and unprepared for those consequences when they come. Unfortunately, while the quality of the visuals remains high, the stories become increasingly preachy and obvious as the film wears on. Only one, concerning a group of mountain explorers that has lost the base camp, approaches the quality of that stunning first episode. January 6, 2008

 "Strange Flowers Grow" ...
There is a reason why this film has only four "one-star" ratings here (and, as those posts reveal, those viewers were "unprepared" for the work). Now, I assume if you are looking at this page you either have an interest in Japanese-studies or a curiosity about international film: both are preferable, but either will do. Still, those studying/involved with environmental-science may appreciate this work more than either!

When I first considered purchasing the film, I was seeking a break-down of the eight vignettes, since I did not locate any while skimming here, I thought potential viewers might appreciate one (even if it is just a more current version) (Warning: there is a breakdown at wiki, but it contains spoilers for each segment and does not thoroughly address cultural issues ... best to read it after watching the film):

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1.) "Sunshine Through the Rain"
-A young boy is cautioned against exploring the forest on a rainy day. Legend indicates that foxes have their weddings in such weather - and they must not be observed by humans. The warning goes unheeded ...
-There is virtually no dialogue in this segment. Instead, the sounds of both nature (rain and insects) and traditional Japanese music tell the story. It is both rich in color and beautifully shot. This segment is based on Kurosawa's own childhood memories.

2.) "The Peach Orchard"
-The glistening raindrops of "Shineshine through the Rain," we are brought to the floating peach-petals of this vignette ...
-Background: On March 3rd of every year Hinamatsuri ("Dolls Festival") takes place. "Dolls" donning traditional Heian-period court attire are arranged on a red-draped, multi-tiered display (if you are interested, Google the name of the celebration to understanding the tiering system). On this day, one prays for the happiness of girls (there is also a "Boys Festival" on March 5th). March 3rd is also dubbed "Momo No Sekku" (or "Peach Festival") ... and here is where the story begins.
-A young boy is serving his sister and her friends on Hinamatsuri. He brings the girls seven refreshments ... but there are only six girls. He insists that his count was correct and leaves the room confused. The seventh girl appears and lures him into a barren area which was formerly a peach grove. There he encounters the "Dolls" incarnate (note: the grove is divided into tiers like the display previously seen in the boy's home).
-The story stresses the destruction of the environment ... but a colorful spark of hope concludes this segment. Again, dialogue is restricted to only what is needed and traditional music accents this touching piece.

3.) "The Blizzard"
-From the soft peach-petals of the last piece, we are brought to the cruel snowflakes of "The Blizzard" ...
-A team of mountain explorers have lost base-camp. They are frost-bitten, mentally despondent, and very near death. All but one member of the team is resigned to death. The one tenacious climber is visited by Yuki-onna who tries to lull him into a wintery-grave.
-Sound is at an absolute minimum here. The metallic clunk of the climbers' gear and the their labored breathing is all the viewer hears for several minutes. This creates a stark, foreboding atmosphere. A well-shot, uncanny segment.

4.) "The Tunnel"
-The first of three nightmares, this segment features a guilt-stricken commander who was captured as a prisoner of war and then released. His entire platoon was "annihilated." He remains the sole survivor. The commander ventures through a dark tunnel. When he reaches the other side, he is "confronted" by his dead comrades ("confronted" is a bit strong since they offer no threat).

5.) "Crows"
-An all-star effort! "Industrial Light and Magic" helped bring this unusual vignette to life. Additionally, renowned director Martin Scorsese portrays Van Gogh (I would have never recognized him had the credits not listed him!!)
-At a Van Gogh exhibit, a man enters the artist's work. He seeks Van Gogh in a French landscape ... looking for answers to his most pressing questions. A visual masterpiece.

6.) "Mount Fuji in Red"
-A heaven of crows turns into a sky of radioactive clouds in "Mount Fuji in Red" ...
-The second nightmare. Mayhem ensues as it appears Fuji will erupt. Immediately, it is revealed that Fiji is not active ... but the nuclear power-plant behind Fuji has exploded. Purple, red, and yellow clouds of toxic death push Japan's residents to the shore. Where does one go when an entire island is doomed to a painful demise?

7.) "The Weeping Demon"
-A plague of radioactive clouds turns into sweeping dust in "The Weeping Demon" ...
-The final nightmare. After the nuclear fallout, little remains. A lone survivor searches for hope. But, the landscape is devoid of life ... save giant dandelions and a horned demon.
-A most pointed exploration of humanity's follies.

8.) "Village of the Watermills"
-As I hoped, Kurosawa leaves the viewers with a portrait of untainted nature. A man spies a village unspoiled by technology. A clear creek, flanked by wildflowers and frolicking children catches the attention of this traveler. He enters the village an learns about living in harmony with nature and the beauty of the "cycle of life."

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While some find this work "heavy-handed" and improbable, it is crucial to understand this film as allegory. Moreover, I noticed a few complaints of recurring actors (that it hindered "suspension of disbelief" or some such nonsense) ... this is purposeful. These vignettes are interconnected and allegedly based on Kurosawa's actual dreams. Therefore, repetition would be "logical."

With just a little patience and a little intellectual curiosity, you will find this a film worthy of your time ... and, hopefully, inspirational. Highly recommended.
December 6, 2007

 spectacularly beautiful
i love this movie. it is a visual and artistic masterpiece filled with the magic and mystery of japan. it illustrates a dream world like no other, and is worth watching again and again November 30, 2007

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