Rashomon

Questioning the nature of truth in an ‘involuted, elliptical style’ (Donald Richie, 1987), Kurosawa Akira’s classic film on multiple perspectives and unreliable narrators is as provocative and inspired as ever. A dreadful crime happened in a lush grove near medieval Kyoto, and four contradicting stories describe how and why. A bandit, a woman, her dead husband and a woodcutter testify (and sometimes recant) their accusatory tales of theft, rape and murder – each offering an intriguing descent into the depths of both human virtue and self-interest. Using multiple cameras and mirrors, renowned cinematographer Miyagawa Kazuo not only redefined the geographies of cinematic narrative space, but also helped Kurosawa evoke the sensual textures reminiscent of silent cinema.

Restored by The Academy Film Archive, The National Film Center of the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo and Kadokawa Pictures, Inc.

Funding provided by Kadokawa Culture Promotion Foundation and The Film Foundation.

Venice Film Festival: Golden Lion for Best Film

Academy Awards: Honorary Award

24/11 (Sun): Film talk with William Lau