Hey Seattle cinephiles, wondering what to do this weekend? Well, the Emerald City's SIFF Cinema's begin their Kurosawa-sensei series this Friday, February 5'th. It's a wonderful chance to see 5 of the masters films, presented in glorious 35mm, in SIFF's state-of-the-art theater, located at 321 Mercer Street, at beautiful City Center (home of the historical Space Needle)
The Hidden Fortress, Seven Samurai, and three others are scheduled to play over the course of ten days. If you've never seen an Akira Kurosawa film on the big screen, do yourself a favor and make it down. It's an opportunity not to be missed.
Check the break below for a full schedule and details.
The Hidden Fortress, Seven Samurai, and three others are scheduled to play over the course of ten days. If you've never seen an Akira Kurosawa film on the big screen, do yourself a favor and make it down. It's an opportunity not to be missed.
Check the break below for a full schedule and details.
Kurosawa-sensei
February 5-15
We
are thrilled to be able to present five films from one of the world's
great masters--Akira Kurosawa--in beautiful 35mm prints from Janus Films.
*Presented in association with 98.1 Classical KING FM.
Friday - Sunday, February 5-7: Stray Dog
Daily: 7:30pm / Saturday: 3:30pm, 7:30pm / Sunday: 3:30pm, 6:00pm
Kurosawa's
great noir has been magnificently restored by Janus Films. Set in
contemporary Japan, Stray Dog starts out on a sweltering ride with
rookie cop Toshiro Mifune whose gun is stolen on the crowded trolley.
What follows is a tense journey to find the thief, whose crimes the
young detective feels responsible for. Mifune's performance is
beautifully expressive, his every fiber wracked with guilt. The rookie
seeks help from veteran detective Takashi Shimura (Ikuru) and as the
two men pursue the criminal their relationship deepens. Don't miss this
little known masterpiece from Kurosawa's early period.
Thursday, February 11: The Bad Sleep Well
7:30pm
Kurosawa's
muse Toshiro Mifune is the illegitimate son of a company executive who
plunges to his death from the seventh floor of company headquarters.
The son plots an elaborate ruse to insert himself into the family of
the corrupt industrialist he holds responsible--he marries the
industrialist's handicapped daughter to get close to the man. But his
plans for revenge are complicated by his growing love for the man's
daughter. Kurosawa was often inspired by Shakespeare and there are
definite strains of Hamlet in Mifune's performance.
Friday, February 12: The Hidden Fortress
7:30pm
Akira
Kurosawa's first widescreen film is a delightfully comedic Samurai
saga. Set in the 16th Century, it follows a brave general (Toshiro
Mifune) who must guide a rebellious princess and a hoard of gold
through enemy lines aided by a pair of bumbling peasants. Cited by
George Lucas as one of the inspirations for his first Star Wars film, Hidden Fortress remains one of the master's best films.
Saturday, February 13: High and Low
2:00pm / 7:30pm
Toshiro
Mifune is Kingo Gondo, an honest executive who's poised to gain control
of the National Shoe Company to keep it out of the control of venal
company men. But just as he's prepared to buy the company with raised
capital, his son is kidnapped and held for ransom--nearly the sum of
money Gondo needs to buy the company. This thrilling crime drama is
deepened by a surprise development--the kidnapped child belongs to his
chauffeur.
Sunday and Monday, February 14 and 15: The Seven Samurai
Sunday: 2:00pm / Monday: 6:00pm
Kurosawa's
epic samurai drama gave birth to a whole genre--the motley team
assembled to carry out a mission--and it was an inspiration for many
Hollywood titles, not only its direct remake The Magnificent Seven, but
The Dirty Dozen, George Lucas's Star Wars, and countless caper films.
This thrilling tale of the samurai warriors who defend a farming
village illustrates Kurosawa's extraordinary command of composition,
action, and storytelling. With Toshiro Mifune.
Visit SIFF's series and events page HERE for tickets.
Visit SIFF's series and events page HERE for tickets.
Related Links
Video
The Seven Samurai -
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