Comments on: Seven Samurai seconded by the Japanese http://akirakurosawa.info/2007/04/21/seven-samurai-seconded-by-the-japanese/ News, information and discussion on the Japanese film maker Akira Kurosawa Mon, 08 Sep 2008 05:56:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Vili Maunula http://akirakurosawa.info/2007/04/21/seven-samurai-seconded-by-the-japanese/#comment-1741 Vili Maunula Sun, 22 Apr 2007 07:23:43 +0000 http://akirakurosawa.info/2007/04/21/seven-samurai-seconded-by-the-japanese/#comment-1741 Perhaps those who answered the questionnaire were not quite so concerned with the artistic qualities of these films, but rather about what they say about the Japanese themselves. This is the only way I could justify, for example, "It’s Hard Being a Man" occupying the number one spot. Similarly, perhaps "Letters from Iwo Jima" is on the list precisely because, as Jeremy points out, "It plays on manipulating the audiences’ emotions for America to feel sad and sorry for the Japanese." It is, of course, also a rather recent film, which lists like these are traditionally quite biased for. Perhaps those who answered the questionnaire were not quite so concerned with the artistic qualities of these films, but rather about what they say about the Japanese themselves. This is the only way I could justify, for example, “It’s Hard Being a Man” occupying the number one spot.

Similarly, perhaps “Letters from Iwo Jima” is on the list precisely because, as Jeremy points out, “It plays on manipulating the audiences’ emotions for America to feel sad and sorry for the Japanese.” It is, of course, also a rather recent film, which lists like these are traditionally quite biased for.

]]> By: BMWRider http://akirakurosawa.info/2007/04/21/seven-samurai-seconded-by-the-japanese/#comment-1734 BMWRider Sun, 22 Apr 2007 02:55:25 +0000 http://akirakurosawa.info/2007/04/21/seven-samurai-seconded-by-the-japanese/#comment-1734 Honestly I have watched most of the Ghibli films, and own them all. Sorry the messages you write about went by me. Two different views I suppose. Again nice films, but not anything close to the power of Ugetsu. BTW, sorry I forgot Grave of the Fireflies was a Ghibli film, I did not mean to include it in my comment. Honestly I have watched most of the Ghibli films, and own them all. Sorry the messages you write about went by me. Two different views I suppose. Again nice films, but not anything close to the power of Ugetsu. BTW, sorry I forgot Grave of the Fireflies was a Ghibli film, I did not mean to include it in my comment.

]]> By: Ben http://akirakurosawa.info/2007/04/21/seven-samurai-seconded-by-the-japanese/#comment-1731 Ben Sat, 21 Apr 2007 23:44:31 +0000 http://akirakurosawa.info/2007/04/21/seven-samurai-seconded-by-the-japanese/#comment-1731 Odd, odd list, but then again the Japanese have alwats said they are the worst judges when it comes to their own cinema. Glad Miyazaki has two entries on there. Nausicaa is anything but fluff and one of the best enviromental cautionary tales ever IMO. The Takahate/Ghibli film, Grave Of The Fireflies is the furthest thing from sweet. Much harsher and more depressing then most live action films about war. That is the best film about WW2 on that list. Odd, odd list, but then again the Japanese have alwats said they are the worst judges when it comes to their own cinema. Glad Miyazaki has two entries on there. Nausicaa is anything but fluff and one of the best enviromental cautionary tales ever IMO. The Takahate/Ghibli film, Grave Of The Fireflies is the furthest thing from sweet. Much harsher and more depressing then most live action films about war. That is the best film about WW2 on that list.

]]> By: BMWRider http://akirakurosawa.info/2007/04/21/seven-samurai-seconded-by-the-japanese/#comment-1728 BMWRider Sat, 21 Apr 2007 20:39:26 +0000 http://akirakurosawa.info/2007/04/21/seven-samurai-seconded-by-the-japanese/#comment-1728 I would like to add that while I find Miyazaki/Ghibli's movies sweet, and unoffensive, I am not sure they are anything more than pretty fluff. Yasujiro and Mizoguchi, two directors I adore and have opened my eyes are ignored. But in defense of the Japanese, I'll bet a list of American films (as selected by the average Joe) would be awful in comparison. I would like to add that while I find Miyazaki/Ghibli’s movies sweet, and unoffensive, I am not sure they are anything more than pretty fluff. Yasujiro and Mizoguchi, two directors I adore and have opened my eyes are ignored. But in defense of the Japanese, I’ll bet a list of American films (as selected by the average Joe) would be awful in comparison.

]]> By: Jeremy Quintanilla http://akirakurosawa.info/2007/04/21/seven-samurai-seconded-by-the-japanese/#comment-1727 Jeremy Quintanilla Sat, 21 Apr 2007 19:16:11 +0000 http://akirakurosawa.info/2007/04/21/seven-samurai-seconded-by-the-japanese/#comment-1727 With all the Japanese movies out there, this is the best they can think of. The Japanese need to watch better movies of their own. Of course Seven Samurai I agree, but I think its only on there because its popular among everybody. Letters from Iwojima is a real surpise, I find to be the worst film about the Japanese and WWII. It plays on manipulating the audiences' emotions for America to feel sad and sorry for the Japanese. Its basically "Passion of the Christ" replaced by Japanese and set in WWII I would think Ichikawa's Fire on the Plain would give a real perspective to the Japanese during WWII, it give a real story behind the men that did the actually fighting and there thoughts as to why the hell they are even fighting in the first place. With all the Japanese movies out there, this is the best they can think of. The Japanese need to watch better movies of their own. Of course Seven Samurai I agree, but I think its only on there because its popular among everybody.

Letters from Iwojima is a real surpise,
I find to be the worst film about the Japanese and WWII. It plays on manipulating the audiences’ emotions for America to feel sad and sorry for the Japanese. Its basically “Passion of the Christ” replaced by Japanese and set in WWII

I would think Ichikawa’s Fire on the Plain would give a real perspective to the Japanese during WWII, it give a real story behind the men that did the actually fighting and there thoughts as to why the hell they are even fighting in the first place.

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