The 100th birthday of legendary Japanese film director Akira Kurosawa is this coming Tuesday. To celebrate, TPR's Nathan Cone (master programmer of TPR's "Cinema Tuesdays" series; more on that later) has scheduled a special screening of one of the best of Kurosawa's films, "Rashomon" (Tuesday, 3/24 at the Bijou at Crossroads at 7:30pm).
Kurosawa directed thirty films in his fifty-year career. Probably his most recognizable film (to American audiences anyway) is "The Seven Samurai" which was subsequently re-made as the American western "The Magnificent Seven." His favored leading actor (and the lead in this film as well) was Toshiro Mifune, whom you will recognize as Toranaga from the mini-series "Shogun" or Adm. Yamamoto from "Midway."
Kurosawa's work influenced many modern directors. I love watching his films and discovering scenes from "Star Wars." George Lucas was and is a committed Kurosawa devotee, and I find a "Star Wars" scene in nearly every Kurosawa film I watch (including the speeder bike chase; yes, really).
The plot for "Rashomon" involves a brutal crime and the different recollections of the action from four different (and one very surprising) witness.
Tickets are $10 for TPR members, $12 for non-members. You can purchase online or at the door.
And speaking of Cinema Tuesdays, if you haven't attended yet, you've missed a treat. Running on Tuesday nights during the summer, Nathan puts together an always-interesting package of classic films. This year's features include "Goldfinger" and "Dr. Strangelove." I plan on purchasing season tickets. The fun begins Tuesday, June 1.
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