Filmmaker guru Akira Kurosawa made a blockbuster follow – up to his phantasmagorical creation” Dreams”. This time, “Rhapsody In August” was a tale about war and memory. The film centered on Kane, a grandmother who lived on her traditional farm near the hills of Nagasaki. She was left all alone when her husband and children died in an atomic attack of 1945. Meanwhile, she had received news that her elder brother was already on his deathbed and wished to see her for the last time. On the other side of the story, her half – American nephew Clark, portrayed by veteran actor Richard Gere will escort her to Hawaii. Consequently, the feeling of excitement overwhelmed her. However, her she became ambivalent with the idea of going to the States.
Rhapsody In August a film directed by Akira Kurosawa was a flick that can be dubbed as one which was an “acid test” for what other say to regain his lost glory in the cinematic arena. As always, Akira Kurosawa was known for as a director who loved to “play with images” in his mind and hands. In addition, as he entered his twilight years, he became less realistic and more fanciful in his works. This was highlighted in this movie in a manner by which the sky was opened in this particular flick symbolizing the light that flowered in the sky the moment the bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. There appeared a beautiful rose engulfed by ants depicting those who had fled after the devastating atomic attack. Moreover, a picture of a twisted jungle gym playground left the way, it looked like after the bomb heat melted into grotesque sculpture. These images are one –dimensional. Meanwhile, chattering creatures resembled the younger generations who were not yet in this world prior to the bombing attacks.
In this case, Kurosawa made the viewers think of the relevance of these images in relation to the events which had transpired during the Nagasaki incident. Through these, moviegoers were taught one very important lesson. Kurosawa’s masterpiece wanted us to realize that wars were between governments and not between its people. In addition, we must respect the ideological differences between people and nations to preserve world peace.
Overall. this film was interesting to watch and very symbolical. Therefore, this is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
