Examining Akira Kurosawa's Use of Movement

In a recent documentary on film and its components, Tony Zhou breaks down the innate understanding of famed Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa. Regarded as one of the most influential figures in the world of cinema, Kurosawa directed 30 films during his 57-year-long career. Zhou opens the clip by asking what is the first thing looked for when judging a shot, “Is it balance, leading lines, golden ratio, color, light or shapes?” All of which are noted as being essential in the production of effective cinema, but none more so than movement.

Kurosawa was famed for his use of movement within that of what he produced, offering a masterclass into the differences within motion and how to effectively combine them. From the resonance of using it in the background to the importance of it as a focal point, Tony Zhou along with others discuss the importance of such a factor and how Kurosawa mastered its application. Check out the video above to discover a little more about such an influential figure and his embrace of movement.