A journey into the world of Kurosawa

As most people know, Akira Kurosawa is regarded as one of 's greatest directors. Film critics say that if you haven't seen Seven Samurai then you are not really qualified to call yourself a film fan. Seven Samurai and Rashomon are some of the most influential movies of all time. In India if you are not a member of a film society, it is almost impossible to watch the great works of Kurosawa. Now Palador Pictures brings an unique collection of some greatest work of Kurosawa. Four years ago, a small team began a pioneering effort to make world cinema available to the Indian subcontinent. Today, Palador is the undisputed leader in the World Cinema category with close to a 1000 of the best and most awarded films from across the world.

The films in Palador's catalogue include both masters and the current crop of mavericks: Chaplin, Keaton, Kurosawa, Kieslowski, Godard, Trauffaut, Kiarostami, Lynch and many more.

The Kurosawa collection has five great works of Kurosawa Throne Of Blood, Yojimbo, Red Beard, High and Low and Seven Samurai.

The first movie of this series Throne Of Blood is almost as brilliant as Kurosawa's more celebrated Rashomon. This is a masterly adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth and is a skillfully crafted movie in its own. There is a very interesting use of symbolism in this movie. From literally the beginning to the end of the film, the setting is covered in thick fog. This is usually not the case with Akira Kurosawa, but Throne of Blood reflects more of a formalistic style of direction. For example, his use of high and low angle shots, as well as the extensive symbolic use of the fog, suggest more formalism here than realism.

Another movie Yojimbo, based on noir writer Dashiel Hammett's Red Harvest is a magnificently entertaining film. Wonderful images, and skillful direction keeps the pace of the storytelling tight and tells most of the story through images – this film is so good that it can be watched as a silent film without losing too much of its impact or meaning.

Red Beard is a beautiful story and also a lesson of life. Noboru Yasumoto, a recently graduated Doctor who wishes to work for Shoguns, is assigned to work in a simple clinic, full of poor people. Arrogant as he is, he only wants to be a rich and famous doctor,not caring for people's health situation and sometimes even mocking them. Things start to change,during the days that Yasumoto stays in the clinic, and starts to know more about the poor people's problems and life. Also Dr. Niide, helps Yasumoto to understand the patients and the meaning of the word 'doctor'.The film endeavors to heighten the awareness of human suffering.

High and Low is a story involving some familiar techniques from film noir; the detective story; and the hunter-and-hunted storyline, but it surpasses so many films that might be included in a list of fine films noires. This is one of those deceptive detective-thrillers that sneak in under your radar and grab you from behind with their storytelling magic. This film came at the zenith of Kurosawa's career and his skill is apparent in every shot; it is the work of a man who possesses complete mastery of his craft, and the movie is a masterpiece of 'constructional' film.

The last and the most important movie of this unique combination is the archetypal action film, Seven Samurai also considered one of the richest works to be ever committed to celluloid. In 1954, Kurosawa made foreign film history with Seven Samurai. Everything about this film is just absolutely terrific. The film lasts around 3 1/2 hours, and every minute of it has unbelievable film making. The story always moves along nicely, with many ups and downs. It has enough unpredictability to keep you interested the whole time, without ever losing its credibility. There is plenty of action, but there is also substance behind the action to give it more significance. It is a film which has influenced later films and filmmakers.