Director - Akira Kurosawa
Writers - Shinobu Hasimoto
Akira Kurosawa
Hideo Oguni
Producer - Shojiro Motoki
Cinematography - Asakazu Nakai
Art Director - So Matsuyama
Lighting - Shigeru Mori
Sound - Fumio Yanoguchi
Music - Fumio Hayasaka
Ikiru directly translated as 'to live' is a film about father Kanji Watanabe played by Takshi Shimura, a middle-aged man who has worked in the same colorless job for the past
thirty years. His wife has passed away while he cares for his son and daughter-in-law who only care to attain his wealth. However, he soon learns that he has stomach cancer and less than a year to live. In order to come to terms with it he goes through many stages. One night he requests the song "Gondola no Uta" from a piano player which proves to be a significant song throughout the film. The following day he however finds an old friend that brings back his love of life with her attitude where he attacks life with a brand new attitude to accoplish a worthwhile achievement before his final moments. This film proves to touch the harts of those who watch.
As the film suggests it's about Kanji Watanabe's struggle to live his life despite his stomach cancer. Majority of the film is focused on the protagonist and the actual plot. The film however has no emphasis on the actual quality of the film. Being an old film the sound quality is poor and isn't promoted. Also the music isn't very clear at certain parts, which doesn't bring up the quality of the film to what it could be. The lighting of the film also makes it difficult to see what's happening from time to time being a film that is completely in black and white. While as a whole we are commonly used to high grade quality films and movies in the present day. Some scenes proved more demanding and captured more attention like his final moments as he sang the song "Gondola no Uta," on the swings as the snow drifted down setting the atmosphere for the scene clearly. The song is a good representation of his life as well as it entitles the idea that life is short.
Overall the actual quality of the film could do with improving however, it is to be expected
being such an old and classic film. The lighting and the sounds prove incapable of improving the movie's quality but what really demonstrated a high grade quality was the actual plot of
the film and the protagonist and his journey in life.
being such an old and classic film. The lighting and the sounds prove incapable of improving the movie's quality but what really demonstrated a high grade quality was the actual plot of
the film and the protagonist and his journey in life.
Hiker
Director - Sterling Ruby
Producer - Sterling Ruby
Cinematography - Sterling Ruby
Sound - Sterling Ruby
Music - Sterling Ruby
Hiker is a short film directed by Sterling Ruby entirely, of a camera that trails a woman during her mountain hike. The film however has no protagonist or any real plot. While it is set in a single location of a the typical mountain trail. Rough rocky paths the curve and intertwine around the mountain itself. The only change in scenery becomes the gradual reveal of an alpine peak in the distance. It was filmed during the day to capture everything despite the lack of any strong character. While throughout the film there is a suspenseful horror soundtrack that builds tension to never release it as the film ends abruptly after turning a corner. This then in a way attempts to adopt a suspense and horror theme as a movie. However the film still manages to capture the attention of its viewers despite its many limitations.
As the title suggests the film is set only of course on the mountain trail. The lighting of the film has been done very well as it reveals everything that it intends to as it is shot outside in the day for the duration of the entire film. Hiker also manages to grab attention through its’ single horror music soundtrack in the background. The music gradually increases in volume in an attempt to suggest the possibility of something that could happen however it leaves viewers hanging when it reveals no future occurrence. This was a good method that was used to bring the audience into the film in anticipation for what could happen. It is noticeable that throughout the film no real effort was adopted in utilizing any camera equipment at all as the camera shakes up and down to show that the camera was held and filmed by hand for the entire journey. However, this proves to be another good technique as it adds to the entire atmosphere and feel of the film.
Hand in hand everything was used well in combination with one another. The use of natural sunlight as lighting was a smart move while the suspenseful soundtrack only added to the suspense of the entire movie. The poor filming standard of the camera also prove to be a bonus by creating the type of scene that the director intended. While, there is no real plot or end to the movie and a entire lack of protagonist it almost makes you want to know what’s coming next. So all in all this was a good film that followed the initial intentions well.
