Screen magic

Shemaroo World Cinema's Kurosawa Film Festival at suchitra film society promises some great films

This year happens to be the centenary birth anniversary of renowned Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa. To mark the occasion, the best of Japanese films will be showcased this month at the Suchitra Film Society.

Genius at work

After training to be a painter, Kurosawa entered the film industry in 1936 as an assistant director, making his directorial debut in 1943. Working in a wide range of genres, he made his breakthrough film Rashomon in 1950. It won many awards at the Venice Film Festival.

Kurosawa is often addressed as Tenno (Emperor) for his phenomenal contribution to the film industry. His films have always been more popular in the West than in his native land, Japan.u00a0 He is revered by American and European film-makers, who remade Shichinin no samurai (1954) as The Magnificent Seven (1960); Yojimbo (1961) as Per un pugno di dollari (1964) and Kakushi-toride no san-akunin (1958), as Star Wars (1977).

What to expect

The movies, which will be screened at the festival are Rashomon (6.30 pm on July 31), Madadayo (6.30 pm on August 1) and Ran (6.30 pm on August 2).u00a0 These movies will also be available on Shemaroo DVDS.

At: Suchitra Film Society, 36, BV Karanth Road, 9th Main, Banashankari II Stage
On: July 31 Onwards