ENG196 GREAT DIRECTORS Michael
Dembrow, Instructor
“KUROSAWAN” ELEMENTS
Historical films that comment on contemporary concerns
Close attention to frame composition
Foreground vs. Background
Dynamic Camera
Admiration of the calm, self-possessed professional
Individual will vs. the needs of the group
Implicit criticism of egoism and pride
Adaptations
Epic stories
Male protagonists
But also very powerful women
Actor Toshiro Mifune
Actor Takashi Shimura
Facing Death
Youth vs. Old Age
The power of dream
Multivalent nature of truth
Nature as reflection
Humanism