cinemacartography
patreon
Ran - DEEP DIVE
🕑 Added 2024-02-23 18:58:52 +0000 UTCOn today's episode of 'Deep Dive' we explore Akira Kurosawa's feudal epic: Ran.
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Introduction & Synopsis
0:42 Where Ran ranks amongst Kurosawa's works/Ran as Kurosawa's 'masterpiece'
4:34 Adapting Shakespeare
13:36 The filmmaking of an old master/his influence as a painter
22:42 Use of colour/the style of Ran compared to modern cinema
27:17 Acting as a transformative experience/the influence of Noh theatre
34:37 The battle sequences/the use of sound/how to read a chaotic image
45:24 Kurosawa as a 'less' Japanese filmmaker/Kurosawa unable to get financial backing
50:40 Ran was the most expensive Japanese film at the time/speaking about everything other than Ran
53:39 The originality and expertise of Ran/The nature of adaptation
55:19 Finally ranking Kurosawa's work/Is Kurosawa a top 5 director?
Comments
hyperballadbrad
I walked out of Vanya (with hot property Andrew Scott) at the cinema in frustration and annoyance..... but went straight home and watched Ran for the first time. Thank fuck I did. It was really stunning. I lost myself in it. Not just in its epic scale but there is grandeur on a deeper level. It oozes from every shot, every beautiful angular set, each poised and meditative movement of the players. I loved the treatment of colour and composition so much. Like you say, it's such an integral part of the film and the storytelling, but there is something so poised and purposeful and it gives every moment a richness on a deeper level than just how a single frame looks. There is a texture and depth that is so rare. I don't have a big frame of reference, bigger than a lot of people, sure, but the quality of the picture reminded me of Powell & Pressburger. I was thinking of the matt backdrops of Black Narcissus, but in Ran, those aren't matt paintings, they are real locations turned into beautiful set pieces. I gasped when Tsurumaru dropped the image of the Buddha. The golden beauty of that shot versus the despair of the character.... argh. Stunnin'!
Gershon Kreimer
After screening a Olivier film to high school seniors, I asked them why this was boring: Because it's filmed theater. I added: that's why the Japanese made the best Shakespeare films. They are not hung up on the language, so they are able to make it cinematic. Orson Welles was successful at this as well using a skeleton of the plays.
Malte Springborn
Speaking of an adaptation with great images and battle scenes: How about a deep dive into The Lord of the Rings?
Sophia Lambton
P.S. You guys are the Harold Bloom of cinema.
Sophia Lambton
This was such a beautifully instructional video. As someone who couldn't get into "Rashomon", I was watching this for love of your analysis rather than Kurosawa, but the ravishing shots you selected convinced me I need to see this film. I especially loved Luiza's observation on diagonals. The colour composition is just unsurpassable. And while you both looked stunning, my favourite part was the cameo at circa 25.00 by your unexpected guest.
Esteban Rodriguez
For me personally, I think Rashomon or Throne of Blood are great starters if you don’t want to go all into some of the more gargantuan and "lengthy" works. But if you want that instead, then I honestly would recommend Ran.
Tyler Craig
Where’s the best place to start with Kurosawa’s filmography?
Esteban Rodriguez
My absolute favorite Kurosawa that I have seen so far. In my opinion, in terms of the "epics" of cinema this might be the one I call the greatest. The use of color in this film is definitely the first thing I think of with this and with Dreams. The bold, primary colors is a palette that I just can’t get enough. It’s definitely one of those I’d love to "bathe" in as Roger Ebert had one said with The Red Shoes. Because it has everything I love in these grand stories. A collection of emotions with humor, drama and moments of Spectacle but also solemn quietness that are so powerful especially in its final scene. My top 3 Kurosawa I know for sure are Ran, Seven Samurai, and Dreams. Also, I realized I have seen every film that has gotten a Deep Dive so far and I am still eagerly waiting where there’s one film I haven’t seen prior to an episode coming out. Haha.
