Akira Kurosawa 99th Birthday Director's Tribute

[@syrzximifu5596]

"Happy Birthday, Sensei." beautiful.

[@vianegativa85]

I'll admit I got a little choked up when Scorsese ends with: "Happy Birthday, Sensei." :)

[@vb2388]

Stanley Kubrick and Akira Kurosawa are my favourite directors of all time...

[@Mitchx42]

One of the best directors there ever was and Toshiro Mifune is one of the best actors

[@Garapetsa]

finest director of all time.

[@lamecasuelas2]

A surprisingly really touching and all around well made intro

[@samuraiyao]

Kurosawa is the greatest director to ever lived.... I too am more fond of his drama especially the procedural drama than his samurai epics.. High and Low is an absolute masterpiece, just brilliant...

[@ShenzenCapitalTradingCo]

Kubrick, Kurosawa, Hitchcock and Tarkovsky are the Mount Rushmore of film.

[@ShenzenCapitalTradingCo]

@Tara Chew The Art House Mountain of Cinema for sure. I would swap Tarkovsky for Spielberg on my original comment for his impact on Modern cinema, not too recently though.

[@ShenzenCapitalTradingCo]

@Tara Chew I think Spielberg's undeniable influence on film makes him one of the greats. Certainly not all of his films, especially his recent ones, have been great successes. However, his earlier films and their influence is really undeniable. Jaws, Indiana Jones, E.T., Jurassic Park, Schindlers List (In the same year), Saving Private Ryan, Catch Me If You Can... He has really contributed a lot to cinema, and has produced a lot of really great films in his career. Films that defined their genre and were the predominant gold standard for other directors to follow, and no amount of middling fare in the past decade can take away from that. It's hard to continuously make beautiful art, the fact that he kept it up as long as he did is astounding. He is without a doubt one of the most creative and versatile directors of the 20th century, and in my opinion deserves to be included amongst Kubrick, Hitchcock and Kurosawa when is comes to their impact on the medium. I guess the point I'm trying to make is that not all of the films in his canon may qualify as great, but you really can't talk about the progression of cinema in the past forty years without mentioning Spielberg and his influence. He made the modern blockbuster with Jaws essentially. But if you think otherwise then that's just like your opinion.

[@ShenzenCapitalTradingCo]

​@Tara ChewThanks for the essay! ‘Desensitizing audiences? To what? Not like a movie that isn’t black and white, in another language and four hours long? While I certainly wouldn’t say he is the greatest filmmaker of all time but it is harder to argue that he is the creator of more iconic moments in cinema history than any other filmmaker. He is a master at delivering moments of magic that enter the public’s consciousness and transcend the medium of film. And I am sure that Spielberg is a common entry into the world of film, especially for kids growing up in the 70s,80s and 90s. He is the primer for people’s foray into the medium. “Benefit all Humanity…” - Wouldn’t you say Spielberg has done that? Creating a plethora of iconic movie moments across multiple decades for millions of people to enjoy and keep coming back to? The reason he is so big is because of that. There’s a reason so many critics, audiences and general film fans love his work. While genuine or not, there is no denying that he, maybe to your displeasure, has left a bigger footprint on modern cinema than anyone else from his time. I guess this all comes down to your opinon and my own. I find the movies to be enticing, exiting, fun and interesting. And you don't. You see them as shadows and jaded remnants of what was 'fine art'. Curious what movies or directors that are making big-budget movies today you deem 'good', if any?

[@ShenzenCapitalTradingCo]

@Tara Chew Lol

[@gpapa31]

Perfectly said. That’s why he is one of my all time favourite directors. He may not be a an all time auter in the caliber of Kubrick, Bergman, Kurosawa, Fellini or Tarkovsky but he is the ONLY filmmaker I know of who will make THE perfect commercial blockbuster film for the masses like E.T., Indiana Jones, Jaws and Jurassic Park and then follow it up with a serious auter masterpiece like Schindler’s list, Munich, Saving Private Ryan, Close Encounters, Lincoln etc. He is as good at making movies for kids and for pop corn consumption, with stellar cinematography and shooting flow, as movies for the serious and critical cinephile. The guy is a true chameleon when it comes to the ability to direct film projects that are so so far apart in terms of character, vibe and story telling and do it at a very high caliber. I really don’t know anyone else who possesses that ability. Yes, he hasn’t made anything great in years (IMHO Bridge of Spies was his last great film and Munich his last masterpiece) but after all this body of work he has absolutely nothing to prove. Having said that looking forward to West Side Story, looks like he is back!

[@airbloit]

"Happy Birthday, Sensei." yes indeed!

[@kriitikko]

Akira Kurosawa, one of the few director's who didn't make bad movies. I've seen about dozen of his movies and even his worst is not a bad one.

[@MaiTakeda]

Huh... Sorry but "yes", he did make one bad film. His last one. Madadayao.

[@kirbyculp3449]

Dodaskaden is so badly received that AK was suicidal. And yes its awful.

[@Wired4Life2]

Greatest filmmaker of ALL TIME :)

[@alcd6333]

I noticed Coppola wasn't on this video. Did he show up for the birthday event? He too regarded Kurosawa as his "sensei", affectionately calling him "The Great Father of Screen Violence". Kurosawa inspired much of how the Godfather films were made along with the works by Lucas, Spielberg, and Scorsese. Two Kurosawa films that get mentioned less than - but are just as powerful as - his more popular ones are "Ikiru" made in 1953 and "Dersu Uzala" (which was cited in the intro).

[@nguquaxanguyen5224]

one of the greatest american filmaker: to put it simply, he was my master!

[@kentokatagiri5660]

I would love to watch a movie "Akira Kurosawa" directed by Martin Scorsese. Please somebody in the business, make that happen!!

[@sameerahmed-gx8js]

We'd love to

[@Deadsies556]

Very touching and heartwarming, this video is a cultural gem. Great artist appreciating and remembering one of their greatest inspirations. May we appreciate these men while they are here, so that we may be able to carry on their memory when they’re gone as they have done for Kurosawa. Never let great art be forgotten it is one of humanity’s great connecting fibers.

[@godzilla964]

If only, IF ONLY!!, Kurosawa made a Godzilla movie. He seriously always wanted to make a one. Director Ishiro Honda was one of his best friends, and second unit directors.

[@unopeneddoor]

Ikiru is IMO the greatest film ever made.

[@MaiTakeda]

No. It is Seven Samurai.

[@MaiTakeda]

Happy Birthday, Akira Kurasawa.

[@prabshiro]

kurosawa master of atmosphere in cinema the last scene in throne of blood is more haunting than shakespear would of intended himself

[@texacocoful]

Very very nice interviews from great directors....I'm proud of Akira Kurosawa.

[@AnupamBhogal]

satyajit ray was another asian giant alongside Kurosawa

[@MaiTakeda]

Who?

[@sameerahmed-gx8js]

@@MaiTakeda he's Indian director.... Panchali, charulata, two, apu trilogy and many mores...

[@averagejoe6617]

I hear that "Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence," in the background. So good.

[@anaheimu]

The song is "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence" from the film of the same name (Not a Kurosawa film). The song was composed and performed by Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto

[@crusherjoe8519]

"From his early days as one-third of pioneering synthpop act Yellow Magic Orchestra, through to grabbing an Oscar for his 1987 soundtrack for The Last Emperor, via almost single-handedly inventing electro-setting the ball that eventually rolled itself into becoming hip-hop into motion-with the still-mesmeric 1980 single 'Riot in Lagos', Tokyo-born [Ryūichi] Sakamoto can call himself one of the most influential and important musicians of the late 20th and early 21st century without sounding ridiculous." -- "40 Years On, Ryuichi Sakamoto is Still Searching for Parts Unknown: In conversation with one of the most influential musicians of the 20th and 21st centuries.", by Josh Baines, VICE, Feb 18, 2018.

[@samuraiyao]

I haven't dive deep into Bergman filmography yet but when I have the time I will watch all his films..

[@anaheimu]

Ryuichi Sakamoto (It's the acoustic version of his theme song from Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence)

[@Mauichaka]

HERE HERE !

[@CrunchesNCurlyWurly1]

i cried

[@watercanlogic493]

Happy birthday master

[@millsbuckss]

Can’t get much better accolades then that 🙂

[@Digatone]

Akira Kurosawa is a legend may he RIP. I watch his movies such as Hidden Forterss and Ran

[@ciaheadoffice5506]

Legends recognise legend

[@カズッチ-k7o]

日本人の誇り、巨匠・黒澤明監督。「人生とは、人は、」をつねに追求された世界屈指の映画監督。

[@gcabar]

the best!!!!!!

[@HenryConway007]

“High and Low” is an absolute masterpiece. It’s 1 of Kurosawa’s most underrated films by a long shot. Better than “Seven Samurai” and “Rashomon”.

[@georgemorley1029]

HenryConway007 Although it’s very good, it’s not an epoch defining piece. Seven samurai and rashomon redrew the map for how pictures could be made. High and low didn’t.

[@mitchweiner]

Kurosawa, Spielberg and Hitchcock are my three favorite directors ever.

[@nigelft]

Mitch Weiner As much as I love Spielberg, I simply can't put him in the same bracket as Kurosawa-sensei, or Hitchcock... perhaps Bergman, Wells, Ford, Mann, & Lean are all on the same par, and maybe, perhaps, Kubrick at a pinch; but anyone else ... no ... Even Altman and Scorsese both said without Kurosawa, they wouldn't have been the filmakers they were ... Scorsese even called him 'my Sensei' ... which says everything, imho ...

[@mitchweiner]

Fair enough. :)

[@julieanimesimp6726]

Spielberg has no elegance....no grace.....no poetry.....no vision....He is a Hollow man.....

[@anaheimu]

To those confused about the 99th birthday comment, the directors are referring to the Tribute to Akira Kurosawa that was hold on March 23, 2009, which would have been Akira Kurosawa's 99th Birthday. The tribute was held by the Anaheim University Akira Kurosawa School of Film at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.

[@HenryConway007]

Doubtlessly, Kurosawa directed more great films in more genres than any other director. His modern-day Japanese dramas are actually better than his samurai epics. I’d probably name “Ikiru” as his best film. Of the directors interviewed here, only Scorsese can even come close to Kurosawa’s greatness. “Taxi Driver” ranks alongside “Ikiru” as one of the ten or so greatest films ever made.

[@texacocoful]

Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence

[@julieanimesimp6726]

"Let us learn to show our friendship for a man while he is alive and not after he is dead"......♥╣[-_-]╠♥

[@anaheimu]

Actually they did: Steven Spielberg (attended USC and graduated CSULB with B.A. in Film Production and Electronic Arts with an option in Film/Video Production), George Lucas (graduated USC with Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film), Martin Scorsese (graduated NYU's School of the Arts with M.F.A), Oliver Stone (graduated NYU's School of the Arts and was student of Martin Scorsese)

[@CitizenToxie72]

Who knew pat sajack was so cool

[@99Filmo]

Ran.

[@Chipsy1234]

@anaheimu Thanks a lot mate, its a beautiful song

[@akurosawa]

黒澤明特番の放送日が決まりました！ 『黒澤映画はこうして作られた』 NHKBS１ 11月8日　日曜日　19時～20時50分 再放送　 11/12　木曜日　20：00～21：50

[@dornravlin]

im and independent filmaker and he is my faverit film direcor akira kuroswa

[@EnzoTheBaker]

@MrZkinandBonez I'm confused too. He did die when he was 88, so I don't know why Lucas and Spielberg are apologizing for not being at the ceremony for his 99th birthday.

[@marksantos5421]

Who would have guessed Pat Sajak was a cinephile lol

[@skyeslaton3435]

There's only one and one akira kurosawa

[@JakeComeauNotFrench]

The funny thing is none of the Film makers went to Film School!

[@HenryConway007]

@spxeli And why not? It’s a great film, although I still think “Taxi Driver” is Scorsese’s best.

[@2011MOONSTAR]

Lol spielbergs little hitchcock words" good eveing"

[@Chipsy1234]

whats the name of the song that is played in the clip? i watched a couple of his movies and i think it was the theme of one of them. But i am not 100% sure :(

[@aleshkaemelyanov]

Румынская роза Готический вид в полутьме возбуждает. Худы твои пальцы, что без серебра, а остов ребристый мечты распаляет, особенно два самых нижних ребра. Сухая причёска ровна, утончённа, как чёрные струны шаманских гитар. Ты именем Роза была наречённа, ведь кровь наполняет лишь верхний овал. Остры твои ушки, лицо худощаво и в теле костлявом отсутствует жир, а рыхлая кожа тонка, моложава. Ты, словно холодный и бледный вампир. Но тихо-заметное сердце не трону, осиновым клином не сделаю боль. Лишь кружево сняв и ощупав сок лона, вобью в тебя снизу свой кожаный кол... ..

[@definitelynottommywiseau3037]

unrelated note: kinda hilarious when Lucas was referred to as an oscar winner (he never won, though he should have won for star wars or american graffiti)

[@wawhatisthis]

What is the piano song played in the background?

[@kelloxstehtimwald3968]

why are they playing a song from a nagisa oshima movie?

[@utuberzanz]

merry christmas

[@wawhatisthis]

What movie is that?

[@SpookedYT]

merry christmas mr lawrence

[@528491Inception]

Also, George Lucas isn't an academy award winning filmmaker.

[@FitzgeraldGrant]

So all of them did.

[@HenryConway007]

@malows1234 I’d probably put them on the same level, which is a great compliment to both artists. I think we can at least agree that both Kubrick and Kurosawa were infinitely better directors than Lucas and Spielberg are.

[@荒木俊和]

世界の黒澤ですから！

[@vianegativa85]

Anyone know the music playing in the background for this?

[@andrewho12]

Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnjWkKl9qZWAj5o

[@Wired4Life2]

@TheMan3579 netflix, library, barnes & nobles, the Internet. Just get it soon. A Film guy can't be so w/o watching "Seven Samurai" (among other films)

[@HenryConway007]

@spxeli “Taxi Driver” is more powerful than “Raging Bull”. Travis Bickle is a better and more interesting character than Jake LaMotta, and I think that Robert De Niro is better in “Taxi Driver”. I will also add that it is a deeper and more complex film, and there are far more people like Travis than like Jake. Both are great films, but “Taxi Driver” is the better film overall. “Taxi Driver” is an example of American film at its best, along with Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey”.

[@johnchambers405]

what's the film at 4:09

[@mitchweiner]

Ran

[@HenryConway007]

@malows1234 What am I supposed to disagree with?

[@HenryConway007]

“Ran” is undeniably a terrific film, but I don’t think it’s 1 of Kurosawa’s best. It’s too long, and it lacks the depth of earlier Kurosawa masterpieces. It also suffers from some mediocre acting. That said, as sheer spectacle, it’s virtually unmatched in the history of cinema. This is truly an epic film, and it’s grandly entertaining. 1 can definitely make arguments for its greatness (I vote no), but it is flawed.

[@julieanimesimp6726]

🤫You might be interested to know that Kurosawa considered "Ran" his greatest achievement and was his own personal favorite film.....

[@roathripper]

so many no-shows, 'sorry i cant be there tonight, blah, blah', disappointing.

[@Gar96229]

George Lucas Academy Award Winning Filmmaker ...um, since when?

[@HenryConway007]

@kurthanson2005 Undeniably.

[@JohnAnderson-hg3pi]

I personally didn't like Ikiru. I know for a fact that the movie is very well made but I couldn't stand the main character Kanji. He was weak, a complete-pushover and what made me dislike the film was when he couldn't defend himself against his own son. But I still agree with your statement :)

[@soundeducation5554]

He was a hero, in a way you don't understand

[@tvu86]

Agree to disagree. His character is "hateable" by Western standards, but he is completely understandable for Asians.