Ikiru [Akira Kurosawa] [Edizione: Regno Unito] [Edizione: Regno Unito]

IKIRU A film by Akira Kurosawa Sometimes I think of death , wrote Kurosawa, I think of ceasing to be… and its from these thoughts that Ikiru came. The story of a man diagnosed with stomach cancer, Kurosawa’s film is a series contemplation of the nature of existence and the question of how we find meaning in our lives. Opening with a slot of an x-ray, showing the main character’s stomach, Ikiru tells the tale of a dedicated, downtrodden civil servant who, diagnosed with a fatal cancer, learns to change his dull, unfulfilled existence, and suddenly discovers a zest for life. Plunging first into self-pity, then a bout of hedonistic pleasure-seeking on the frenetic streets of post-war Tokyo, Watanabe the film’s hero finally finds satisfaction through building a children’s playground. Beautifully played by Takashi Shimura (who starred in 21 of Kurosawa’s films), Ikiru is an intensely lyrical and moving film, and was one of Kurosawa’s own favourites. DVD extras include an introduction by Alex Cox and biographies of Kurosawa and Shimura Japan | 1952 | black & white | Japanese language with English subtitles | 137 minutes | Ratio 4:3 | Region 2 DVD