We are sending endless love to the people of Japan as they face one of the worst natural disasters in history. Japan’s adversity is shared by the whole world. I can’t think of a better way to show our support than to appreciate the vision of one of their greatest artists – Akira Kurosawa.

Thanks to Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur and ASWARA, Malaysians have the opportunity to experience the work of the legendary filmmaker at the Akira Kurosawa Film Festival. I’m only a ‘beginner’ Kurosawa fanatic, but the films I’ve seen have astounded and stayed with me. I remember watching Ran (1985) and feeling that I was seeing film in colour for the first time!

The festival is in its second week, but you can still catch many masterpieces like High and Low (1963), The Hidden Fortress (1958) and my personal favorite, Sanjuro (1962).

On Saturday, 19 MARCH, Malaysia’s own celebrated filmmakers U-Wei Haji Saari and Chris Chong will give talks about their work in relation to Kurosawa’s.

Don’t miss it!

(SC)

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AKIRA KUROSAWA FILM FESTIVAL – Centennial Retrospective

Akira KUROSAWA was a famed Japanese film director, producer, screenwriter and editor, who directed 30 films in his 57-year career. Born in 1910 and deceased in 1998 at the age of 88, the year 2010 marked the 100th anniversary of his birth. The Japan Foundation, Kuala Lumpur, together with ASWARA (Akademi Seni Budaya dan Warisan Kebangsaan), proudly present Akira Kurosawa Film Festival ~ Centennial Retrospective, featuring 25 of his titles including “Seven Samurai”, “Rashomon” and “Ikiru” that have inspired and influenced quite a number of Japanese and foreign filmmakers, such as Takeshi KITANO, Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, George Lucas, John Woo and Zhang Yimou.

Date: 10 – 20 March 2011

Venue: Dewan Kuliah Utama, ASWARA (Akademi Seni Budaya Dan Warisan Kebangsaan), 464 Jalan Tun Ismail, 50480 Kuala Lumpur.

Admission: Free (no booking/purchase required; free seating)

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Screened on 35mm Print

Sanshiro Sugata / 姿三四郎 1943 / 79min. / B&W
The Most Beautiful / 一番美しく 1944 / 85min. / B&W
Sanshiro Sugata Part II / 續姿三四郎 1945 / 82min. / B&W
The Men Who Tread on the Tiger’s Tail / 虎の尾を踏む男達 1945 / 58min. / B&W
No Regrets for Our Youth / わが青春に悔なし 1946 / 110min. / B&W
One Wonderful Sunday / 素晴らしき日曜日 1947 / 108min. / B&W
Drunken Angel / 醉いどれ天使 1948 / 98min. / B&W
The Quiet Duel / 静かなる決闘 1949 / 95min. / B&W
Stray Dog / 野良犬 1949 / 122min. / B&W
Scandal / 醜聞 (スキャンダル) 1950 / 104min. / B&W
Rashomon / 羅生門 1950 / 88min. / B&W
The Idiot / 白痴 1951 / 166min. / B&W
Ikiru (To Live) / 生きる 1952 / 143min. / B&W
Seven Samurai / 七人の侍 1954 / 207min. / B&W
I Live in Fear / 生きものの記録 1955 / 113min. / B&W
Throne of Blood / 蜘蛛巣城 1957 / 110min. / B&W
The Lower Depths / どん底 1957 / 125min. / B&W
The Hidden Fortress / 隠し砦の三悪人 1958 / 139min. / B&W
The Bad Sleep Well / 悪い奴ほどよく眠る 1960 / 151min. / B&W
Yojimbo (The Bodyguard) / 用心棒 1961 / 110min. / B&W
Sanjuro / 椿三十郎 1962 / 96min. / B&W
High and Low / 天国と地獄 1963 / 143min. / B&W, Partially Color
Red Beard / 赤ひげ 1965 / 185min. / B&W
Dodesukaden / どですかでん 1970 / 140min. / Color
MADADAYO (“Not Yet”) / まあだだよ 1993 / 134min. / Color

For SCREENING TIMES, please go HERE.

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SPECIAL TALKS
Saturday, 19 March @ 4:30pm

01
Title:  “THE RIGHT AND WRONG OF THE HIGH AND LOW”
The contrasts and contradictions of Kurosawa’s crime thriller High and Low and how the film’s dualism becomes relevant today within Chris Chong Chan Fui’s video installation HEAVENHELL.
Speaker: Chris Chong Chan Fui (Filmmaker)

02
Title: “Looking at Sanjuro & Yojimbo”
Speaker: U-Wei Haji Saari (Filmmaker)

Inquiries: email to jpcc@jfkl.org.my or call 03-2284 6228