Akira Kurosawa Receives an Honorary Award: 1990 Oscars

George Lucas and Steven Spielberg presenting an Honorary Oscar to Akira Kurosawa for accomplishments that have inspired, delighted, enriched and entertained audiences and influenced filmmakers throughout the world, at the 62nd Academy Awards. Introduced by Jack Valenti.
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[@ccjjcjj]

My opinion is " Oscar receiving an honorary Akira Kurasawa"

[@ajivalentino7953]

Trueee

[@42kellys]

I agree. It is such a glamorous but often empty parade and Kurosawa is the opposite of empty. They can be honoured that he accepted that award at all and mor eso he honoured them with his humble and graceful words. It is very touching to hear him.

[@RazorwireReviews]

This fucking popped me huge, fair play

[@lokeshmoushikaveerasamy2095]

But I don't think he deserve this award

[@valentinvanruiz]

Kurosawa like: Lukas copied me, Spielberg copied me...and They made the millions?...wtf. they give me this shit statue in order to not to Blame them in public? Mmm..ok. let's make a Funny speech at least

[@suhasa9772]

Greatness.. Kurosawa, "I dont think I understand cinema yet.." wow..

[@BrucknerMotet]

the humility is epic. great film maker and solid man.

[@bevrosity]

shit, if he doesn't understand cinema, what hope do the rest of us have? lol

[@danieljakubik3428]

Suhas A Yes. That's a great understatement. Kurosawa had some misses in his admired career, however, he understood cinema far better than most film directors.

[@danieljakubik3428]

Suhas A Great modesty and humility from one of cinema's greatest directors.

[@mattwhite7249]

It was a reference to the opening lines of Rashomon.

[@darthdj31]

"Talking of Kurosawa, a poignant tale: Stanley Kubrick received a fan letter from Kurosawa in the late 1990s and was so touched by it. It meant more to him than any Oscar would. He agonised over how to reply, wrote innumerable drafts, but somehow couldn’t quite get the tenor and tone right. Weeks went by, and then months, still agonising. Then he decided enough was enough, the reply had to go, and before the letter was sent Kurosawa died. Stanley was deeply upset.”

[@philiplam5981]

thanks for sharing such story. That's was so sad. Guessed Kurosawa knew his time would come soon.

[@stevegeorge7773]

That’s awfully sad to read.

[@aloknathsingh4647]

Did he send the letter before knowing about Kurosawa's demise?

[@stevegeorge7773]

Alok Nath Singh if he wrote the letter he would have kept it. He kept everything. Kubrick was famous for it, there is a British archive dedicated to the millions of papers, books, film items for research. It doesn’t in any way, reading it, feel it to be untrue.

[@aloknathsingh4647]

@@stevegeorge7773 Then we can't be sure whether he ever was going to send the letter or not. But still, his regret is understandable.

[@xergiok2322]

Tarantino in his 30s: I don't want to be an old director, I'mma quit soon. Kurosawa in his 80s: I haven't quite gotten the hang of this yet.

[@infamouscrusader3363]

Kurosawa clearly is the humble one here.

[@vaibhavgaur5268]

Learn the difference between causality and correlation smh

[@vaibhavgaur5268]

And btw,it's not that he doesn't want to be an "old director".What a dumbass,learn to comprehend things better

[@infamouscrusader3363]

@@vaibhavgaur5268 Of course not. I assume he just wants to do other roles other than being a director.

[@vaibhavgaur5268]

@@infamouscrusader3363 Well,he's very skeptical of how people fall off in quality as they keep going.He wants to have a tight;perfect filmography and leave his legacy untarnished.And move onto writing/directing plays etc.

[@ayakasayaka1399]

"I dont think I understand cinema yet .." Kurosawa said in an interview years later. "Everyone thought that was a joke, But I don't really think I understand cinema "

[@anishrocks13]

What a humble man. I am amazed

[@Ryan-Petre]

Makes sense. It's considered good form in Japan to humble yourself when receiving praise or an award. You don't see that too often or to the same extent over here, so it makes sense that it would have been taken as a joke and/or sarcastic.

[@nathancosta9010]

@@Ryan-Petre I don't think it's just humility, either. Sometimes, only the trailblazers understand how much farther the trail can go.

[@Ryan-Petre]

@@nathancosta9010 Yeah, I def think Kurosawa was a grounded guy. I'm just thinking the form of the speech felt very Japanese 🍙🍡

[@rodolfogarcia5929]

That’s the diference between an artist and the people who work on and for the industry.

[@ethanradd]

wow, Lucas and Spielberg looked so young ...new kids on the block, time flies

[@luf4rall]

No, not new at all lol. Starwars, Jaws, Indiana Jones...

[@ThwartedVillainy]

Remember that Star Wars came out 13 years before this was broadcast.

[@v-trigger6137]

I wonder how they said "new kids on the block" considering before this was even broadcasted, both guys already established himself on the industry

[@sollybowden1357]

V - Trigger irony

[@jacklambert1521]

@@v-trigger6137 It was a joke.

[@ThwartedVillainy]

Imagine that, Spielberg and Lucas bring you on to the stage in front of all of Hollywood and the rest of America's television sets and give you a special award they made just to celebrate you and your work. The entire academy along with your friends in Tokyo then sing happy birthday to you. Then you get up and say that you don't deserve it, but you will work hard so that one day you might deserve it. Also you're 80 years old. Kurosawa was one hell of a guy.

[@tavishkoul5036]

his friends martin scorsese and coppala francis ford

[@pedroibanez8013]

For me simly the greatest. And his attitude to cinema at 80s tells everything! NO MORE TO SAY

[@rememberthatyoumustdie]

@@tavishkoul5036 Martin Scorsese is a legend

[@Griemmy]

It is hollywood that has to imagine

[@mwfilm]

Kurosawa, Kubrick and Hitchcock never received a best director oscar and are the best ever imo

[@NSS7]

Their film are so ahead of its time. No one can really understand impact of what they are doing back then.

[@ssnarashi]

people remember the film not the awards.

[@kelemci36]

And Fellini..

[@CzarsSalad]

Sergio Leone's films never even got a single nomination

[@mirandagaby3720]

But... The cinéma's industry forget since long time the cinéma's Art... They just want money, money and... money!... and take the public in captivity...

[@Anynom]

For those wondering, when the Academy announced they were giving an Oscar to Kurosawa, Spielberg and Lucas both insisted to present it as each idolized the man and so they got to do it together, good tribute to a man who inspired them both.

[@aqualcunopiaceclassico3201]

Well, if Lucas had a career is basically just because of Kurosawa

[@sithlordzach8418]

@@aqualcunopiaceclassico3201 Kurosawa + Joseph Campbell

[@Pedrotubes1]

INspired a lot of filmakers!

[@saintsataniko2116]

Two things really surprised me: That Spielberg is actually taller than Lucas, and also that Spielberg had a nice hair.

[@UndeadSlayer5]

I’m not surprised Star Wars was inspired from his movies

[@Jantonov1]

I'd never heard a speech that humbled every living director before that one.

[@chizhang2765]

And he didn't even know it. The man's all about his art and the perfection of it.

[@Ash_Hudson]

@@chizhang2765 Pretty typical of the Japanese to dedicate their lives to mastering something

[@saidtoshimaru1832]

"Thank you Kurosawa Sensei, everyone here stole something from you at one time".

[@garyhayes5751]

Word!♥️

[@mjmediafactory7550]

very true

[@voltgaming2213]

True

[@tarekfawzy61]

A real sensei, I don't think he ever cared about others stealing something from his genius

[@sisysphusynelson4903]

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

[@bobouzala]

The greatest film maker of all time.

[@amateurartist8113]

Ive only just found out about him right now. Its always a joy to discover something new!

[@bobouzala]

Herbie Hanjob Kurosawa's influence on Western film making is incredibly and massively understated. Read up and discover how Kurosawa is the Titan of ALL cinema!!! It's a great time of the year to start watching Akira's movies (hopefully lots of time off from work)! Also, Toshiro Mifune is arguably the best actor of all time. Mifune was to Kurosawa as John Wayne was to John Ford. Don't forget to watch Dersu Uzala! :)

[@josh1216]

Bobo Uzala Sadly Dersu Uzala is unavailable for Criterion to get the rights to. I believe Kino has them. And as much as Kino does to keep old movies alive, they just can't afford to restore them the way Criterion can.

[@smithfan22]

I prefer Hitchcock but Kurasawa is top 5. I feel Kubrick is overrated.

[@maxfieldnuckels9075]

smithfan22 I think Kubrick is great, but I don't know why everyone says he's the best. I think of his consistency being between a) Kurosawa, Scorsese, Hitchcock and b) Coppola, and his peak level for individual films being lower than all. I feel that Coppola is tied with Kurosawa in the highest individual peak, but Kurosawa is also as consistent as Scorsese and Hitchcock, unlike Coppola. I think if Kubrick as being a downgraded version of the functionality of Kurosawa, yet still a great one, and still one of the best. There are still other directors as well

[@tarekfawzy61]

When Oscar's too small to express the greatness of an artist. Kurusawa is the best director in the history of cinema

[@LiamRedmondVideo]

Look at Steven Spielberg rockin' the 90's haircut ha

[@MaskedMan66]

Actually, he'd been wearing his hair like that since the 60's.

[@afnangeographicalsciencesc1848]

spelbergh is shit comparing to akira,hitchcock,martin scorses.his e t terristrial movies plot was taken from a bangali director called sattyajit rai.spelberg is good in raping young boyz like corey haim,river phoenix....christian bale.

[@bradypowell2326]

@@afnangeographicalsciencesc1848 uh huh sure man.

[@MrCybrg-hs8ws]

@@bradypowell2326 yep go on internet and seach for :-the alien satyajit ray script

[@arnavlokhande9448]

@@afnangeographicalsciencesc1848 idiots keep wining but he also belongs in that category

[@Artrocker86]

As a true genius, he is also humble and knows that there is always room for perfection. Deep respect to him.

[@alenstephen7043]

Nice words 👍

[@leftyfourguns]

This is the beauty and importance of art. George Lucas and Steven Spielberg looked up to Kurosawa like we look up to Lucas and Spielberg. Art is immortal

[@ericsierra-franco7802]

Scorsese is also a huge fan of Kurosawa as is Clint Eastwood.

[@unomasjp66]

As a Japanese, I am very proud of his films and achievements. And I believe his legacy has been inherited in many movies such as Star Wars series.

[@NounOzlos]

It's just unfortunate that so few Japanese people these days have even seen a single Kurosawa film.

[@stefandobre226]

NounOzlos seriously ?

[@stefandobre226]

Xadion Guess i’ve seen too many movies. I thought younger generation like 14 - 28 aged know a lot about kurosawa’s films.

[@slimnooze]

Greetings! My name is Jorge, I'm from Venezuela and I'm trying to execute a research about Kurosawa for a college presentation. I was wondering if you, since you are Japanese and (presumably) understand Japanese language, could translate what Kurosawa-sama said in his speech in the most precise way posible. I'm particularly interested on his use of the word (in English) 'essence'. What is the Japanese word he used that was translated to English as 'essence', by the translator? Thank you very much in advance

[@365Cani]

I read somewhere that the Japanese people didn't like his movies when they were released because they were too Western and George Lucas & a few others had to help him with funding for Ran.

[@ThomasPollock95]

Truly well deserves, and his modesty is all the more wonderful to see. I smiled throughout the whole video once I saw Kurosawa.

[@michaeldugan1738]

Zen.

[@infamouscrusader3363]

Me too.

[@aisheedyutiroy880]

Me too. I keep going back to this video

[@toodie535]

I cried from happiness for him

[@bryncomeaux]

it was they who were honored

[@ilushabruts5874]

you are right....

[@terrellepps9548]

THE GREATEST DIRECTOR EVER!!!!!

[@RafaelSantos.RS87]

I agree!

[@inhumain]

+Terrell Epps ties with Bergman

[@terrellepps9548]

inhumain I like Bergman, but Kurosawa was on a another level.

[@inhumain]

agree to disagree, but eitherway both were very inspired by eachother, confirmed by this letter I found on the internet. www.openculture.com/2013/12/akira-kurosawa-to-ingmar-bergman.html

[@elmarro5016]

+Terrell Epps And with Bergman and Kurosawa i would definitely put Andrei Tarkovsky on my top 3 list.

[@zachheller6681]

They better stand up and cheer for Kurosawa. Literally one of the five best filmmakers to ever put images to celluloid.

[@suvradeepraha2552]

List them

[@zingamaxkettlesteinjudaism6069]

Me, My dog, my prostitute girlfriend, my cat, and my weiner

[@ferminarrua9521]

@@suvradeepraha2552 -Andrei Tarkovsky -Akira Kurosawa -Ingmar Bergman -Stanley Kubrick -Luis Buñuel/Federico Fellini

[@trocustar3450]

@@ferminarrua9521 Alfred Hitchcock??

[@SerFifer]

@@ferminarrua9521 This guy knows his shit, my exact list too

[@maplefreak64]

Thank you America!! Kurosawa director is our pride!!

[@tarkovskybresson4581]

+maplefreak64 Are you from Japan? How are filmmakers Ozu and mizoguchi perceived in 2015 in Japan? Are they well know filmmakers? Do people remember them the way they remember Kurosawa? Thanks for your answer.

[@RajitRoy_NR]

+Jerome Blanchet I guess they do ...

[@MovieHound17]

no thank you Japan....he is one of if not the BEST Director ever.

[@jonsnow5285]

you also proud of MASTER HAYAO MIYAZAKI too.

[@kingkongtheory890]

As for Ozu, ordinary people remember him as the director of Tokyo Story. As for Mizoguchi, only cinefilles remember him. At least that's how I view the situation.

[@shoheiimamura4067]

Mr.Kurosawa IS the essence of cinema :) or atleast a huge portion of it.

[@assinadofabinho]

Concordo plenamente.

[@bernasilva2041]

Shohei Imamura he is among the greatest directors ever if not the greatest

[@shoheiimamura4067]

berna silva You just re-wrote everything I stated in the beginning. lol

[@bernasilva2041]

yes quite

[@nicolewu2650]

Lol your name...

[@DrumsTheWord]

What a legend...and in traditional Japanese style is completely humble and charming.

[@notoriousjm95]

Do you notice how Steven Spielberg bows at 4:45? Seeing how it’s a cultural gesture for respect in Japan, it was super courteous for Spielberg to do that.

[@joerichmond76]

I read that Kurosawa loved and admired American films over his native film industry, so I’m sure him sitting there while being presented by that time the most respected filmmakers in the world was a huge honor and full circle for him.

[@heberthybr]

I must confess.. I'm impressed with the Japanese interpreter? very calm and accurate. Also, what a humble speech! Kurosawa was the man!

[@sonofJurell]

I would have translated "kihonteki" as "basics" and not "essence". Not a criticism just an observation.

[@Elwrt455]

George Lucas owes Japanese director Akira Kurosawa a huge debt for the Star Wars saga

[@lucitum.world1998]

George Lucas watched in his childhood and/or teenagehood Kurosawa's films

[@steveconn]

The bickering duo in Hidden Fortress looking for the Princess was the model for R2D2 and C3PO and Leia in Star Wars.

[@WalterLiddy]

I think 'huge' is an exaggeration. He took elements of The Hidden Fortress, but he borrowed from a lot of sources.

[@ayakasayaka1399]

@@WalterLiddy No. Please look at Hidden Fortress again. Characters, settings, rough stories, etc. There are so many effects. For example, Han Solo, who finally comes to help This is Hyoden Tadokoro from Hidden Fortress.

[@paulatreides6711]

@@ayakasayaka1399 it's called inspiration

[@82easyrider]

Strangely very few understand the depth of influence this man had on World Cinema. He created, perfected, revolutionarised, improved and grew movie making as clever art form. A true Master! And the humility (a typical Japanese cultural trait) is endearing. Salute to this wonderful artist.

[@atulyabharadwaj2279]

Shohei imamura, kinji fukasaku > akira kurasawa

[@wastehazey6468]

Legend.

[@thesummerwiind]

"Here is your oscar mr Kurasawa, thanks for all the ideas by the way."

[@mamabari07]

'89 Kurosawa '91 Satyajit Ray '92 Fellini '94 Antonioni '98 Elia Kazan '99 Andrzej Wajda

[@vykuntapufangtxpreet9546]

*RAY* Doesn't Deserves This.

[@VernusFilm]

One of the greatest and the most heartwarming moments ever in the history of Academy Awards.

[@seauryakumar]

Most of these people have aged. Tom Cruise has not

[@jimcameron1234]

RIP his Mama left from Nicole

[@westim_]

Bobby Shmurda*

[@Fotodante]

Not left the closet is the trick. :v

[@mineaguscraft]

Power of xandu

[@GenericCoyote]

His hair looks on point, wish mine looked like that

[@devarya8963]

Respect from india.... For this great director.... An important part of world. Cinema..

[@devarya8963]

@Zack Smith sadly, not true.

[@atulyabharadwaj2279]

@Zack Smith sholay was India's take on sphagetti western.

[@jy24041]

@Zack Smith Bollywood is a bunch of thugs ,they rob dialogue from Hollywood and western movies ,music from Pakistan And Italian ,and stories from Japan and Spain , actually it's peddlery business nothing to do with the art and culture

[@titanmoirangthem234]

@Zack Smith Just like any other film industry Indian film industry is filled with 80% commercial movies who don't care about art. Start watching regional Indian movies and classics like Satyajit Ray.

[@youssefrachad8201]

he is so humble

[@user-qb3jg8ep9t]

Kurosawa was cutest director to ever grace this earth

[@erenelion]

oh that haircut deserves an award. Thin Lucas ftw

[@jaimeantonioc7539]

"Akira Kurosawa a Master, a Genius ... one of the best directors in the history of the seventh art"

[@stefanostsougkranis5851]

Kurosawa, at the moment he was awarded that Oscar, did not comprehend that his movies not only inspired the creation of many big movies that had already hit the screen or were yet to come, but also influenced and still influences the cinema industry as it is today. He was one of the few visionary directors that took influences from important people of the past, like Shakespeare, and formed a new kind of movies resembling old Greek theatre plays, with the important part always being the characters and their actions consequenses, leading eventually to catharsis. So, did he really deserve his award? And... only one?

[@wastehazey6468]

Awards don't deserve Kurosawa.

[@noabaak]

He is the best. One and only Kurosawa.

[@KnightOfSummer1995]

Mr. Akira Kurusava and Mr. Satyajeet Rai are amongst the few outsiders to Hollywood, who left an unforgettable impression on world cinema.

[@dan-mb2ne]

The few? No way

[@yannickgregor7679]

Oh oui les 2 sont sublimes ! "Charulata", "La Grande Ville" etc...mais quels chefs d'œuvres !!!! Et "Yojimbo", "Les 7 samouraïs", "Entre le ciel et l'enfer" etc...Quels merveilleux réalisateurs !

[@khalidamajoud2437]

My favorite director of all times. I watched his entire filmography three times, at least, and find myself immensely moved and impressed every single time.

[@yannickgregor7679]

Quel est votre film préféré de Kurosawa ?

[@jackpittorino]

Original Godzilla director Ishiro Honda 3:33

[@archieleach575]

Satyajit Ray and Akira Kurosawa, two of the best of all time, and close friends as well.

[@illuminati7590]

Kurosawa the Greatest

[@jesseakaike1488]

When the camera zoomed on how spontaneous, loving, grateful Jane Fond looked when she was clapping for Kurosawa, I knew we are all the same, nothing should divide us.

[@northaunt]

True Master.

[@jackspry9736]

RIP Akira Kurosawa (March 23, 1910 - September 6, 1998), aged 88 You will always be remembered as a legend.

[@Flowerboy.flores]

Are you kidding me Akira Kurosawa! You bet your ass you deserve that!! Steven Spielberg and Gorge Lucas have been inspired by your work! And many others.

[@ryuuseipro]

@3:33: Ishiro Honda!!! Kurosawa's best friend/collaborator, and one of the creators of Godzilla. He's also one of my favorite filmmakers/influences, and I was really choked with pride to see him honoring Kurosawa over the screen at the Oscars. :)

[@dmarkj22]

A true master of the art of filmmaking. His influence and importance can never be over estimated. Well deserved.

[@englishinba]

A humble, inspirational speech and a lesson for anyone who ever hopes to do great things. One of the best ever in the world at what he did and he was still trying to reach his full potential.

[@notoriousjm95]

I've been watching his films back-to-back for the past two weeks and seeing this fills me joy and inexplicable sadness. So so SO much talent embodied in one human. What a remarkable visionary, he was.

[@Thoth1024]

A richly deserved award to a true, artistic genius. What a light he was to the cinema-going audience of the 20th century. May his light shine for many centuries to come. What a legacy he has left in his films, true art...

[@JohnGoetzGaming]

Now that Japan's greatest live action film maker has gotten an honorary Oscar on the big night it's time for Hayao Miyazaki to get his time on stage. None of that "governor's night" crap I mean on the BIG night with the BIG TV audience so more people can see what a genius he is along with long presentation to show just how much most Americans have been missing out.

[@servo90]

He won an Oscar for Spirited Away but didn't show up to collect it in person.

[@CaptainNippon]

+servo90 He didn't show up in person because he was protesting against the Iraqi Invasion.

[@benvids]

John Big Boss Between him and Satoshi Kon it's a tough call.

[@afonsolucas2219]

The Academy doesn't give a fuck about animation. It's sad, but true.

[@tvu86]

Agree

[@user-vq7em7mc3j]

this great director deserved more oscars than one his work influenced many other filmmakers.without him movies like star wars and a fistfull of dollars would never existed.he will live forever in our hearts not only for his body of work but and for his humbleness.

[@yannickgregor7679]

et les 7 mercenaires 😉 !

[@mfreeman313]

The famous artist Katsushika Hokusai said something similar long ago. "From the age of six, I had a passion for copying the form of things and since the age of fifty I have published many drawings, yet of all I drew by my seventieth year there is nothing worth taking into account. At seventy-three years I partly understood the structure of animals, birds, insects and fishes, and the life of grasses and plants. And so, at eighty-six I shall progress further; at ninety I shall even further penetrate their secret meaning, and by one hundred I shall perhaps truly have reached the level of the marvellous and divine. When I am one hundred and ten, each dot, each line will possess a life of its own." Maybe Kurosawa knew of this; it would be surprising if he didn't. But he certainly had the attitude. It's why he achieved so much.

[@BenRussell]

Akira Kurosawa is arguably the greatest director of all time, and I certainly would not dispute it. Practically all of his films are perfect, and that's something that only a handful of filmmakers have achieved. He is my idol!

[@koolfundas]

Wow. What a humble guy. He even at his 80s feels that he doesn't understand the true essence of cinema.

[@tctyt]

One of the Most Well Deserved Honorary Oscars and i meant everyone who claims it. They had both good and hard times making Masterpieces, he had a vision of films using movements, shapes, dimensions, patterns without any visual effects or modifications that made his film visually beautiful. He make us think, laugh, or cry. One of the greatest directors of all time.

[@Pun2404]

This makes me so happy. Kurosawa will forever be one of cinemas greatest creators. I remember watching Seven Samuari for the first time when I got it on Criterion when I was in high school (around 2000/2001) and it eternally changed me into seeking filmmaking.

[@yannickgregor7679]

Quel chef d'œuvre...J'hallucine à chaque fois que je le regarde, c'est parfait !

[@Sorkijan]

Such a humble man. Receiving a reward and still applauding

[@Gubbi.11]

Great respect to you Akira Kurosawa....

[@Andrew-jw4vc]

Hearing his speech really cemented what an incredible visionary he truly was. Even after creating many of the greatest movies ever made, he was always striving for more, always looking for ways to be better. His respect for the medium is truly, completely unrivaled.

[@jayeshk.d.3429]

Akira Kurosawa and Satyajit Ray - such underrated gems!! ❤️

[@yannickgregor7679]

J'ai découvert récemment les films de Satyajit Ray, quelle claque ! Je le place aussi haut qu'Akira-san !

[@jayeftee]

one of most humble (authentic at that) speeches i have ever heard at the Oscars.

[@Aih1616]

To those who haven’t seen Kurosawa film, I recommend you watch them. It will blow your mind.

[@Volts48]

A truly masterful film-maker whose techniques and methods are still employed today and so many people don't even know that.

[@samueldaviddadepogue8477]

At the time I watched this video, I only watched 3 of his films. Truly amazing masterpieces. You can feel the essence from his movies. I will forever be a fan and will watch more of his films. This video moved me to tears. Kurosawa Sensei, you are the most honorable.

[@anjalidukunta2836]

Name them

[@Denvillian]

The great Japanese quality of being humble and seeing pride as a negative. Americans have much to learn from a man like this.

[@RedJet-bq6fq]

Very humble. A truly great filmmaker

[@TalonsOfFire]

Due to a family connection, I got to meet Jack Valenti when I was a 10-year-old kid and showed him my movie database and reviews I had written. Great that they did this before it was too late. Kurosawa is a legend, and inspired Lucas to make Star Wars. The fact that he states he might not have grasped what cinema is yet shows what a thoughtful and artistic person he was given how much he's accomplished. True artist.

[@suhasa9772]

I have deeply studied each of his films..every one of them in complete detail, but may not be as a Critic !.. Each of them has a deep layer of understanding that far surpasses "Life" itself..Combine that with the literary sense of Shakespeare in Ran, Toshiro Mifune, Takashi Shimura and others, he has built individual masterpieces in each genre of filmmaking..

[@yannickgregor7679]

toshiro mifune...n'est-il pas l'un des plus grands acteurs de tous les temps ? 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@Conn30Mtenor]

He was The Emperor and this was richly deserved. I wish that Toshiro Mifune had received a lifetime award Oscar.

[@yannickgregor7679]

toshiro mifune...peut-être l'un des plus grands acteurs de tous les temps !

[@Conn30Mtenor]

@@yannickgregor7679 Mifune, Orson Welles et Brando. Mes héros du cinéma.

[@bigball8468]

Him and Takashi Shimura

[@PhantomLAM]

a legend.

[@anishrocks13]

Such a humble man. AMAZING!

[@omegamike21411]

Japanese philosophy: aim for perfection even though you can never actually achieve it. Put your heart and soul into your passion. Strive for doing something even better every time.

[@FilmaticProductions]

That was pretty much what our school creed was when I studied karate: Each seek perfection; each endeavor; each respect others...

[@johnle6364]

greatest living director of all time. you have no idea how much influence he has had. indirectly all of our lives has been affected by him.

[@hsergio7]

This made me tear up ❤️

[@nh8444]

Absolutely wonderful to watch him. That’s about as humble and modest as it gets.

[@TylerDurden404]

Wow didn't realize Akira Kurosawa was quite tall until you see him standing next to two americans His back is still straight for an old man as well Akira Kurosawa literally stood above these two

[@gazellepop]

The first Akira Kurosawa film for me was Shichinin no Samurai and it opened new doors to his other works and other Japanese directors. Moreover, I like how he works with the same actors and injects a different image with every work.

[@mashtali1]

it's so beautiful to see so much love and respect.

[@jacklambert1521]

Wow. What a humble man! Watch and learn kids, this is how you should live your lives. Don't take too much pride in what you do, and realize you're nothing withouth the people who help you.

[@arpitdas4263]

Such a great director. Made masterpiece after masterpiece

[@seamuskennefick7692]

In the summer of 2011, I figured I would finally watched a Kurosawa film, and I started with Seven Samurai, and I cannot describe how it impacted me. It took me another few years to buy my own copy of the movie, along with Rashomon and Ran, then Irkiru. Visually, Kurosawa is phenomenal, and I have to say, our dear Akira ranks up there with Kubrick and Scorsese, as well as other legendary filmmakers. As I learned from our dear Akira in this video, I, also, have much to learn about cinema, But until then, HAIL AKIRA.

[@tarkovskybresson4581]

+Seamus Kennefick Did you invest time in other foreigner filmmaker? Kurosawa is legendary and represent the essence of cinema, but there is many other essential filmmakers. Tarkovsky, Ozu, Bergman, Godard, etc. tell me about it, I love to talk about cinema. Thanks for your answer.

[@obietrice2309]

I watched this and teared up. It's rare to see humility at such an elite level.

[@BHY1117]

I saw this the night it actually aired. The only thing missing here was the beautiful montage of the works. I know that it was omitted for the rights issues, but it helped make the speech.

[@shivasrinivasan80]

One the greatest filmmakers ever. Humility personified.

[@ekavakririski]

I think it's still too late for give that achievement at 1990 (it should be 20 years earlier :D ) bit, see how humble he is! with all that masterpiece, contribution, and his influence, he says he still not understand the essence of cinema, that's how great director, never satisfied for he achieved, and we are still waiting for the next Kurosawa, a sensei, a master for all director

[@uchihadante77]

It´s amazing to see that he wasn´t happy woth himself and that he was still looking for that perfection in his movies,all the filmakers should be like that.Spielberg and Lucas looked so young,wow.

[@ralphmondi5278]

The humility of this master!! Everyone watch and learn!

[@druha10304]

damn 27 years ago

[@Onikirimaru231]

Akira Kurosawa is GOD!!!

[@bakabaka3281]

Toshiro Mifune is JESUS??!!

[@bldjln3158]

Akira Kurosawa is GOD???

[@sibengerard1856]

brilliant speech...the humility of a genius...

[@maxalberts2003]

What a humble man. Well-deserved.

[@PlayIt4MeAgainSam]

One of the most influential film directors; great upload.

[@amarpatel1052]

People today don't understand that without this man, cinema today would look very different - for the worse. A real legend.

[@lucamalafronte9263]

Last October 5th i started seeing a kurosawa's film a day. Today I concluded by rewatching "High and Low", the first akira kurosawa's film I saw first 1 year ago. What an amazing journey!

[@phspalace1021]

Well deserved. Akira Kurosawa was an extrordinary film maker.