r/TrueFilm • u/Alcatrazepam • 6d ago

What are all of Kurosawa’s innovations?

*Akira, to be clear, not Kyoshi who I also love deeply (whom?)

For example , I understand he is credited with the invention of the “buddy cop” film with “Stray Dog.” Many people also credit him with the invention of the “action film” with Seven Samurai. Perhaps the most famous and undisputed example is the story structure used in Rashomon (and maybe the most overtly referenced in popular culture). The man was clearly a genius and is still ahead of his time so I feel there must be other examples of innovations. Do any come to mind for you? Which are your favorites?

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u/FreeLook93 6d ago

Most of the claims here in the comments, and the ones you are making in the OP are very much without evidences, and often just flat out wrong. The idea that Seven Samurai invented actions films is quite absurd.

I think in general way to much focus is put on any one person creating this innovations. Far more often than not it's a case of iteration and evolution, not innovation and revolution. Kurosawa is an interesting case though. I think a large part of his influences just comes from the fact that he was one of the very few number of Japanese directors whose films were actually shown in the west around that time. Films by the likes of Ozu and Naruse were seen as being too Japanese for western audiences, so they never got a wide release outside of Japan until years, or sometimes decades, after the fact. Kenji Mizoguchi was one of the few other Japanese directors from that time who got exposure outside of Japan while he was still alive, but he died in 1956.

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u/lilbitchmade 5d ago

While I think it's sensationalist to say that he discovered all of the techniques or tropes we know today, I also believe it's defeatist to ignore an artist's innovations, as innovation doesn't equate to invention.

I think deconstructing the great man theory in art is well intentioned, but I have an inkling that audiences and critics fall in the trap that "believing in auteur theory and great artists is the equivalent of supporting individualism and hierarchies in a political context".

At that point, why are we discussing films in the first place if none of it matters?

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u/Alcatrazepam 6d ago

I appreciate the thoughtful and articulated response and apologize if my wording sounded like I was claiming it as fact, I only said they it been credited with that by some. “I understand he is credited with the invention —“

“Many people credit him with—“

And then tried to acknowledge that they’re arguable/disputed by others by saying “perhaps the most undisputed example is Rashomon.

I apologize for going on but I’d just like to make clear that I am not stating them as fact or trying to. Nor do I wish to sound argumentative, I really don’t mean to but I know how these conversations can be misinterpreted because people are so hostile online about opinions really appreciate your response, it’s exactly the kind of reply I was hoping for in posting this —one that could provide more information and insight than I have (as well as just creating post to gush about AK lol?. So thank you :) there’s honestly more about your reply id like to discuss but I fear I’ve already rambled too much already and am way too tired to continue tbh .

So I’m Gonna try to sleep, then hooefully I can be less scatterbrained. After all a pretty smart dude said

“man is a genius when he’s dreaming”

Nonetheless thank you for the reply and food for thought. i look forward to getting better acquainted with the artists she and movies you mentioned (and sorry for the tldr)