About Rashomon

"Rashomon", released in 1950 is a Japanese period crime drama film directed by Akira Kurosawa. The movie is based on two stories by Ryunosuke Akutagawa: "In a Grove", which provides the characters and plot, and "Rashomon", for the film's setting. The film presents a narrative framework involving several conflicting eyewitness accounts narrating an event within a story, later named the "Rashomon Effect".

Plot and Summary

Rashomon tells the story of the discovery of a samurai's body by a woodcutter. The samurai's wife claims a bandit attacked her and her husband. However, the bandit and the dead samurai's ghost provide conflicting accounts. The film concludes without a definitive truth, showcasing the subjective nature of truth and the unreliability of memory.

Making / Production

Rashomon was a notoriously tough production throughout, with Kurosawa's demands for total accuracy and realism posing challenges. Key scenes were shot in natural light, and the cinematographer had to develop techniques to maintain visual consistency. Despite the film’s historic and cultural milieu, Kurosawa wanted to fully express his own cinematic language and storytelling abilities.

Actors

• Toshiro Mifune (Tajomaru): As the notorious bandit, Mifune brings eccentricity and flamboyance to his role, showcasing a wild, animalistic character.
• Machiko Kyō (Masako): She delivers an enticing performance as the samurai's wife, with her character swinging between victim and villain.
• Masayuki Mori (Takehiro): Portrayed the role of the noble samurai with a quiet dignity, adding depth to his character.
• Takashi Shimura (Woodcutter): Shimura's performance as the humble woodcutter provides a balanced lens for the story’s conflicting perspectives.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The name "Rashomon" refers to the gigantic front gate of the city of Kyoto.
• Rashomon was the first Japanese film to gain international recognition, introducing Western audiences to Japanese cinema.

Awards

Rashomon won several awards including an Academy Honorary Award at 24th Academy Awards and the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, making it the first Japanese film to win an international award.

Quotes

• "I don't understand. I just don't understand." - Woodcutter
• "You can't live if you don't trust. There's no way around it." - Commoner

Music, Soundtrack

The music of Rashomon was composed by Fumio Hayasaka, one of Japan’s greatest composers. The music acts as a narration throughout the film and engages the audience emotionally. The music uses a mix of Western and traditional Japanese musical elements to magnify the film's epic narrative.