Sydney Film Festival Announces Akira Kurosawa Retrospective

Sydney Film Festival, along with the Australian Centre For The Moving Image (ACMI), the National Film & Sound Archive Of Australia and The Japan Foundation, have collaborated to present a special retrospective on legendary Japanese director Akira Kurosawa this year.

Curated by film critic David Stratton, ten of Kurosawa's most well-regarded films from 1950's Rashomon to 1985's Ran will be screened this June as part of the 64th Sydney Film Festival, using specially imported 35mm film.

Stratton said, "During the ‘golden era’ of Japanese cinema, Akira Kurosawa was by far the best-known Japanese director internationally. His films were not only accessible, they were marvellously executed.

“The best of Kurosawa’s films possess a grandeur combined with a common touch. No-one filmed action scenes like he did – his use of multiple cameras, long lenses and intricate editing combined to make these sequences unforgettable."

Sydney Film Festival director Nashen Moodley also added, "Widely acknowledged as one of the greatest and most influential film directors of all time, Akira Kurosawa created many masterpieces in his over 50 years of filmmaking. 

"Kurosawa really opened up the eyes of the western world to Japanese cinema, and with more than 30 films to his credit this retrospective is an essential guide to Kurosawa’s greatest hits, and certainly crucial viewing for film fans."

Catch Rashomon (1950), Living (Ikiru) 35mm (1952), Seven Samurai 35mm (1954), Throne of Blood 35mm (1957), The Hidden Fortress 35mm (1958), Yojimbo 35mm (1961), High and Low 35mm (1963), Red Beard 35mm (1965), Kagemusha (1980) and Ran (1985) from 7 to 18 June.