“Rashomon,” directed by Akira Kurosawa, is one of the first classics in international film history. While the film introduced the master director Akira Kurosawa to the world, it did even more than that: “Rashomon” introduced Japanese cinema itself to the world. Brilliantly constructed, the film is justly regarded as innovative, and even experimental in its display of various points of view and open approach that gives freedom to viewers' alternate readings.
Kurosawa, originally a painter, entered the film business at age 26 to support his parents after both his brothers died. He is widely acclaimed as one of the greatest directors of our age. His films include Ikiru (1952), Seven Samurai (1954), Throne of Blood (1957), Dersu Uzala (1975), and Ran (1985).
Oscar Alert
Oscar Nominations: 1
Art Direction-Set Decoration (B/W): So Matsuyama and H. Motsmoto
Oscar Context:
“Rashomon” won a 1951 Honorary Oscar as an Outstanding Foriegn Language Film, a few years before a distinct, competitive category of foreign language films was established.
The Art Direction winner in 1952 was Vincente Minnelli's Hollywood melodrama, “The Bad and the Beautiful.”
The other nominees were: “Carrie,” “My Cousin Rachel,” and Kazan's biopic, “Viva Zapata!”
