Ikiru

About Ikiru

Detailed Plot and Summary

"Ikiru", a movie directed by Akira Kurosawa, tells the emotional story of Kanji Watanabe - a bureaucratic public servant who discovers that he is suffering from terminal cancer. Instead of succumbing to despair, Watanabe decides to use the remainder of his time to do something meaningful. Despite grappling with impending death and feeling underappreciated, he manages to find purpose and joy in building a playground for the children in his city.

Making / Production

"Ikiru" was released in 1952. The movie was crafted exquisitely by Akira Kurosawa. His methodical plot construction and deep character exploration is prevalent throughout the movie. He successfully strikes a balance between melancholy and hope, encouraging viewers to contemplate the value and purpose of life.

Actors

• Takashi Shimura played the role of Kanji Watanabe, with a performance filled with deep sentiment, subtlety and emotional depth.
• Shinichi Himori enacted the role of Kimura, bringing to life the character's struggle with societal expectations and the desire to break free.
• Haruo Tanaka portrayed Sakai, whose character adds a touch of bitterness and regret that contrasts with the other roles.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• "Ikiru" means "to live" in Japanese.
• The film was inspired by Leo Tolstoy's novella, "The Death of Ivan Ilyich".
• The song "Gondola no Uta" has a significant role in the movie, symbolizing Watanabe's journey.

Quotes

• "I can't afford to hate people. I don't have that kind of time." - Kanji Watanabe
• "A man is a fool not to put everything he has, at any given moment, into what he is creating." - Writer

Music, Soundtrack

• "Gondola no Uta" - The symbolic song of the movie, representing Watanabe's journey.
• The original score by Fumio Hayasaka adds to the emotional depth of the film.

Awards

"Ikiru" won the Silver Bear for Best Director at the 7th Berlin International Film Festival in 1954.