I have watched 4-5 other films of his which I guess released after 1950. Akira Kurosawa was reluctant to openly discuss his personal life. book by peter carey. We appreciate your feedback. Something Like an Autobiography (蝦蟇の油, 自伝のようなもの, Gama no abura, Jiden no you na mono) is the memoir of Japanese film director Akira Kurosawa. OK, close. Kurosawa explains that he'd rather his work speak for him, but that in his old age, he's been persuaded to write about himself. An autobiography is not a pure version of somebody’s life being told. It is a pity that Akira Kurosawa did not write a second part of his autobiography. Something like an autobiography, and something much more like a memoir, which is no bad thing. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. You've successfully reported this review. Regarded as one of the most important and influential filmmakers in the history of cinema, Kurosawa directed 30 films in a career spanning 57 years. Customer Reviews. Disappointing in that the great director doesn't address issues/movies beyond the 1950s. Anyway he mentions seeing dead bloated bodies in a river by Tokyo. Quantity available: 5. The distinguished filmmaker chronicles his life from his birth in 1910 to the worldwide success in 1951 of his film "Rashomon" and provides a provocative account of the Japanese film industry Get Something Like an Autobiography (Paperback) by Akira Kurosawa and other Biography and Autobiography books online and at Fully Booked bookstore branches in the Philippines. Welcome back. Inside you'll find 30 Daily Lessons, 20 Fun Activities, 180 Multiple Choice Questions, 60 Short Essay Questions, 20 Essay Questions, Quizzes/Homework Assignments, Tests, and more. by Vintage Books. Early on, Kurosawa thought of himself as a slow learner, who only began to flourish when shown attention by a few sympathetic teachers. [(relatively sheltered, somewhat isolated childhood with countless hobbies, then numerous family deaths at the same period along with a swift loss of social standing; a certain wariness towards what the absurd human animal has in them to do, paired to some deeply-rooted hostility towards arbitrary authority; at some point, the failure to pass an exam to become an astronomer in HPL's case, and a painter in AK's; hard beginnings, both faced dire prospects, absorbing passions and fortunate, unhoped for occasions to make them come to fruition). The anecdotes which comprise this book, albeit brief, are very interesting to read. Good advice! Sad! My college film club screened it. This book stops at Rashomon, which was his first international success. It almost felt like reading fiction with the fantastic prose and wonderful stories that Kurosawa provides. Read detective stories as well as world literature. There is nothing more enjoyable then going to a movie theater and seeing any film by Akira Kurosawa. He stops with Rashomon. The image is stark (of course) but it had traces of the master's visua. If everyone thought this way, people might notice just how foolish international friction is and they would put an end to it.”, “Although human beings are incapable of talking about themselves with total honesty, it is much harder to avoid the truth while pretending to be other people. If you haven't heard of record-smashing singer and songwriter Mariah Carey, is there any hope for you? It was 'Rashomon'. Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2020. 172 Previews . However I'd still highly recommend it to film students and Kurosawa fans alike. One of his early films, Rashomon, won the top prize at the Venice Film Festival and subsequently won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film, putting Japanese cinema on the international stage only five years after World War II. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. individual filmmakers international film biography. Either that or Kurosawa penned it this way. This memoir by the master is also fantastic. It almost felt like reading fiction with the fantastic prose and wonderful stories that Kurosawa provides. Close . User Review - Michael.Rimmer - LibraryThing Something like an autobiography, and something much more like a memoir, which is no bad thing. Kurosawa explains that he'd rather his work speak for him, but that in his old age, he's been persuaded to write about himself. Half of the book deals with Kurosawa before he even began making films. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. I was disappointed that he ended this wonderful book in 1950 the year he filmed. Magnificent store of information to share about Akira Kurosawa who shares his experiences in early life and as he matures... experiences which led to his becoming the director we all love. 27 Ratings ... 2 Reviews. I had heard stories about his "imperial" manner, his severe demands and difficult temper. A wonderful book on the life and mind of Akira Kurosawa. It would have been great to read his insights of there events too. Akira Kurosawa is the most nostalgic, ridiculously romantic, over-the-top autobiographer I have ever read. His films are without parallel, and this book gives the reader insight into why such excellence came to be. The image is stark (of course) but it had traces of the master's visual sense as well. Published by Vintage Books USA 5/12/1983 (1983) ISBN 10: 0394714393 ISBN 13: 9780394714394. This is a good book for Kurasawa fans interested in what a few of his life experiences informed his vision. by Akira Kurosawa. And Kurosawa in himself is such a likable and interesting character. Finished reading this nearly a year ago without getting around to reviewing it. It puts childhood in a context that is very unique, recalling smells and sounds. It was great of Kurosawa to tailor this book more to prospective filmmakers, by talking mostly on his inspirations and anecdotes about his film productions. It would have been great to read his insights of there events too. Truly a fantastic read. Disabling it will result in some disabled or missing features. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Get Something Like an Autobiography (Paperback) by Akira Kurosawa and other Biography and Autobiography books online and at Fully Booked bookstore branches in the Philippines. I think of the earth as my home. Kurosawa left a lot of his life out of this book (hence the title) and perhaps that is what makes it all the more fascinating to read. So definitely a book that Kurosawa fans will want to read, but it certainly wasn't amazing. Half of the book deals with Kurosawa before he even began making films. Writing a review on an autobiography is quite similar to writing a review on novels or poems, but there are some peculiarities that you should keep in mind. Be the first one to write a review. Something like an autobiography, and something much more like a memoir, which is no bad thing. The distinguished filmmaker chronicles his life from his birth in 1910 to the worldwide success in 1951 of his film Rashomon and provides a provocative account of the Japanese film industry. Quite simply, if you want to learn something from Kurosawa, then you ought to read this smooth book. It was something like an autobiography because Akira Kurosawa narrated his life from a supernatural, not factual, perspective. We learn a lot (in short easy to understand entries) about the beginning and growth curve of production of movies in Japan. It’s doubtful that a complete understanding of the director’s artistry can be obtained without reading this book…. If everyone thought this way, people might notice just how foolish international friction is and they would put an end to it.” For one interested in films, this is a must read. His films are without parallel, and this book gives the reader insight into why such excellence came to be. LibraryThing Review User Review - Michael.Rimmer - LibraryThing. There is nothing more enjoyable then going to a movie theater and seeing any film by Akira Kurosawa. Something Like an Autobiography (English, Paperback, Kurosawa Akira) 4.4. 15 Favorites . It looks like movie making (for a director) wasn't such a lucrative thing in Japan in those days coz by the time he did Rashomon, he was a well-established name in Japan and had done 6-7 movies that were hits/semi-hits. Prime members enjoy FREE Delivery and exclusive access to music, movies, TV shows, original audio series, and Kindle books. May 12th 1983 It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness. If you are a book buff and are looking for legal material to read, To some extent that's true, with his sense of diligence and attention to detail being the hallmark of all of his great films. He felt, like many filmmakers and artists, that everything one might want to know about him is there within his work. Thanks for Sharing! Kurosawa's skill as a story teller comes through in his sorta-autobiography. Disappointing in that the great director doesn't address issues/movies beyond the 1950s, Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2018. The book is an autobiography of sorts written in 1982, in the waning years of Kurosawa's life and career. Bookmark File PDF Something Like An Autobiography Akira Kurosawa wherever you are now. For one searching words of wisdom, too. Top subscription boxes – right to your door, See all details for Something Like An Autobiography, © 1996-2020, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. It jogged my memory of my own childhood, oddly enough. He hated math, and was drawn to the worlds of art and literature. I think of earth as my home. His main advice for anyone to get into film is to read! Related Searches. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of, Published After finishing it, he also changed my outlook on his films (especially Dreams). I have to respect this decision as a power move though. It does deal with Kurosawa's filmmaking techniques, but more than anything it delves into Kurosawa as a person. There are some good bits about the making of the earliest Kurosawa films and there are a couple good bits on how to be a better director. Choose from contactless Same Day Delivery, Drive Up and more. Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2014. This is part autobiography and part commentary on the films he did till 1950. I feel that I am better able to understand the messages in and personal history behind his films after reading this book. “Films are my true medium. A sweet and insightful read. He talks about the work of other artists, includes real-world advice for people trying to approach creativity and storytelling, and kicks off with a wonderful retelling of the man himself as an infant. So it is thanks to his father's insistence on a strict regime of training and visits to shrines, all before breakfast, and excellence in productivity, that Kurosawa attained a deeper understanding of samurai culture. It does deal with Kurosawa's filmmaking techniques, but more than anything it delves into Kurosawa as a person. There will never be anyone like Kurosawa. An extremely enjoyable autobiography from the man himself, Akira Kurosawa. The tone of the book was very wooden and literal but that may be due to the translation since Kurosawa himself certainly had plenty of experience writing. $12.99. Read reviews and buy Something Like an Autobiography - by Akira Kurosawa (Paperback) at Target. (pg. To see what your friends thought of this book. There is nothing that says more about its creator than the work itself.”, Opening credits - The Lower Depths (1957), Toshiro Mifune's monologue in The Quiet Duel (1949), Woodcutter's story intro - Rashōmon (1950), The Village Defence scene - Seven Samurai (1954), Done - Please add cover and info - Kurosawa, Mariah Carey Is Telling Her Own Story (and Recommending Books). Something Like an Autobiographyby Akira Kurosawatranslated by Audie E. BockIt seems obvious that this book is the first to turn to for admirers of Kurosawa's films who seek to know more about the legendary director's influences and ideas. Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2019. He also had some important assists from a rebellious (and also artistic) older brother who would steer him toward books to read and movies to see. Shouldn't be remotely surprised at how introspective this turned out to be. That didn't in any way spoil the reading experience; his descriptions of whatever aspects he talks about makes it very clear to understand what he says. I finally got a chance to read it. ... Our Days Are Like Full Years by Harriet Pattison review – moving and heroic. Akira Kurosawa would have you believe that he's just a hard working guy and nothing special. He talks a bit about Seven Samurai just as an argument for why multiple cameras are needed sometimes to film certain movies, which incidentally was a criticism leveled against him during that time. 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