Some time ago I mentioned the “AK100 Project” initiative, which is set to begin later this year in order to celebrate and remember Kurosawa through “exhibitions of Kurosawa’s work, newly published books and stamps, merchandise and tie-ups with TV broadcasters and video game companies”, and with everything culminating in 2010, the 100th anniversary of Kurosawa’s birth.
Now, Jeremy just dug up their website, which can be found at http://akirakurosawa100.com/. It is currently only available in Japanese, but the English version is said to be “coming soon”.
It remains to be seen what sort of events and goodies will become available in the next couple of years as we draw nearer to the day of Kurosawa’s centenary. Something already suggested by Jeremy is a meeting in Japan by the regulars here on this website. Depending on the finances, I’d certainly be interested — let us know what you think!
I give up on the translation, I was writing the script in windows Japanese language bar, and then translating with google. Even though my scripts are exactly correct, the translation make no sense what so ever, not even the main topic headings made sense. There is a video on the 4th tab but the best translation I get is “see the power” if thats right, is worthless and took to long just to get that, forget getting the rest.
I open the file up in Flash 8 to take apart each flash frame, sadly the text is in bitmap form and not in flash text, so there is no easy way to translate. Hopefully the English version comes up soon.
I did a WhoIs and the ID of the owner is protected, and the site is only registered to a Tokyo website host. The site is fairly new, 2-16-08 was when it first went active, and the name was purchased about a month before that.
I hope to hear some serious interest in a Japan meetup, I know its not the easiest thing to arrange, but there is plenty of time to work with and save up money. Travel cost is really not that bad, I’ve stayed 2 weeks with very nice hotels, and food and train travel for less then $1500 minus the $1000 plane ticket. It can be done much cheaper if you dont travel aboard like I was doing. Its certainly not cheap but to well worth the cost and plus this is one in life time event–hopefully there are some big events to make it worth the effort.
All I can say is I’m going no matter what–hopefully a few other can come too 😆