A Response to Akira Kurosawa’s Film Rashomon

Introduction

The film Rashomon by Akira Kurosawa takes a different approach to filmmaking. The film presents four unique viewpoints of the same event. However, the stories do not match each other, demonstrating that everyone can interpret an event in completely different ways. The setting is Kyoto, a real place in Japan, yet the film transforms this location into more of a state of being.

A Response to Akira Kurosawa’s Film Rashomon

The priest speaks to the peasant and the woodcutter and refers to a story of a violent death and a potential sexual assault in 12th-century Japan. The details of the story do not add up because the event is interpreted in many different ways. In the end, the film does not provide a precise conclusion on who did what, leaving the viewer of Rashomon to come to their own conclusion. Perhaps the entire point of the film is to encourage the audience to discern the truth for themselves. Personally, I feel the need to re-watch the film to truly grasp who was telling the truth. This film was challenging to follow for me, but now that I know how it ends, I can piece together my own conclusion.

Mise-en-scène

The mise-en-scène of this film is very well executed. It captures Japanese culture with its location and the actors' costumes. The gate, buildings, and locations where filming took place helped convey the Japanese setting to the audience. Scenes set outdoors at night implied an impending doom. The mise-en-scène of this film helped develop the film beyond just the narrative, creating an immersive cultural experience.

Conclusion

All in all, I believe this film is a psychological thriller that compels the audience to think critically. Kurosawa did an amazing job creating a film that draws in the audience and encourages them to formulate their own conclusions about the truth. The hidden message in this film is that no absolute truth exists. Everyone has their own truth and their own way of interpreting events. Regardless of how one chooses to conclude the film, Rashomon is a classic. Its significance is substantial and verifiable. Kurosawa's innovative approach changed the filmmaking landscape by presenting the same event uniquely to each individual. Despite being a young creator and director, Kurosawa made a significant impact on filmmaking and continued to produce great works.

References:

• Kurosawa, A. (Director). (1950). Rashomon [Film]. Daiei Film.
• Richie, D. (1996). The Films of Akira Kurosawa. University of California Press.
• Prince, S. (1991). The Warrior's Camera: The Cinema of Akira Kurosawa. Princeton University Press.