MovieChat Forums > Shûbun (1964) Discussion > Akira Caprasawa

Akira Caprasawa

posted 12 years ago by radioguyreturns
6 replies | jump to latest

Well, that's it in a nutshell. Being 1950, I know the American censors made it hell for Japanese filmmakers to express themselves even if there weren't latent grumbling or anti-western sentiment, but the western influence and American references herein almost pander to America audiences as if this were pre-destined to play on US screens. The only thing missing is definitive evidence that Ichirô and Miyako develop a romantic relationship after all (Although, from a western perspective, her interest in him, and his refusal to sell the painting infers one will develop)

It's enjoyable, but has a cloying American vibe that smacks of propaganda.

[–] rnmackenzie 11 years ago

A belated reply: yes, I felt the Capra touch here too, but even more in the case of 1947's "One Wonderful Sunday," though that film is very much oriented to a Japanese audience. Surprising to see Kurosawa go down this road in the same period that he's making "Stray Dog" and "Drunken Angel," both of which are far better films. Fortunately, he dropped the Capra stuff pretty quickly.

[–] ibbi 10 years ago

I'd agree that it's a relatively simply made, more Americanized film compared to some of his others, and is not all that narratively dissimilar to a Capra movie, but thematically I'd say there's a lot more going on than in a Capra movie, and the way all involved play it (writing wise, direction wise, acting wis) veers far more towards the tragic than the hopeful, which is entirely un-Caprasque.

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[–] directorscut 9 years ago

So when Kurosawa is obviously aping John Ford it's seen as an influence but when he is aping Frank Capra it's "American propaganda"?

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[–] Steamboy 9 years ago

The Capra influence was nothing to be ashamed of. If Kurosawa chose to deliver the story that way, it's not because of censors and what-not, it's probably because he enjoyed the spirit of Capra's films. And so do I, as a matter of fact!

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[–] karnevilelp 9 years ago

the way all involved play it (writing wise, direction wise, acting wis) veers far more towards the tragic than the hopeful, which is entirely un-Caprasque

Totally agree. The final shots where the disgraced Hiruta walks by the wall where the scandal sheets had been and which are now in tatters is really sad.

I've seen most of Kurosawa's samurai films (my Dad is a huge fan), most multiple times. However, this is the first of his movies set in non-samurai Japan that I've seen. I liked it, but I found parts of it to be a trial such as the drunken singing in the bar on New Years Eve (it just goes on for too long for me) and how the film focuses on Hiruta's family life, which I don't find very interesting. I have The Bad Sleep Well on my DVR, I'm going to watch that tomorrow, it seems to be more highly regarded than this movie.

[–] vicky_lc2001-1 9 years ago

I highly recommend The Bad Sleep Well and High & Low for his non samurai films.

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