Private Project

Filming Akira Kurosawa

Filming Akira Kurosawa is not merely a behind-the-scenes documentary, but a rare historical record that captures Akira Kurosawa’s filmmaking philosophy at work. Based on approximately one year of video recordings made during the production of Ran (1985), the film preserves moments that were never intended for public view: rehearsals, repeated instructions to actors, and Kurosawa’s calm, patient engagement with his cast and crew.

The documentary reveals a director far removed from the stereotypical image of an authoritarian genius. Instead, Kurosawa appears as a teacher-like figure, carefully guiding performers through repetition and explanation, emphasizing meaning over intimidation. The footage also includes scenes normally forbidden to be filmed at the time, made possible by the then-silent video cameras, capturing Kurosawa’s voice calling “Action” and “Cut” during actual takes.

Beyond rehearsals, the film documents large-scale battle scenes, horses and soldiers filling the frame, and Kurosawa’s innovative use of multiple cameras to capture a single scene in one take—methods he explains directly in the film.

Originally unfinished, the documentary was re-edited decades later and released as Life Work of Akira Kurosawa, receiving critical recognition. Filming Akira Kurosawa stands as a vital primary source for film history and education, offering an irreplaceable insight into the creative process of one of cinema’s greatest masters.

  • Mitsuhiko Kawamura
    Director
  • Mitsuhiko Kawamura
    Writer
  • Mitsuhiko Kawamura
    Producer
  • Akira Kurosawa
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 39 minutes 59 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    August 11, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    30,000,000 JPY
  • Country of Origin:
    Japan
  • Country of Filming:
    Japan
  • Language:
    Japanese
  • Shooting Format:
    U-matic
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Director Biography - Mitsuhiko Kawamura

Mitsuhiko Kawamura is a Japanese documentary filmmaker known for his intimate portrayals of artists and creators. While a senior at Kwansei Gakuin University, he joined a team documenting Akira Kurosawa during the making of Ran. He spent a year closely following the director, recording 150 hours of behind-the-scenes footage. From this archive, he produced Filming Akira Kurosawa, a vivid portrait of the master and his actors, preserving the truth of a director who believed the 21st century could be free of war. Kawamura’s work blends meticulous observation with deep respect for his subjects, creating cinematic records of lasting historical and cultural value.

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Director Statement

When I was a senior at Kwansei Gakuin University, I was given the rare opportunity to join a team documenting Akira Kurosawa during the production of Ran. For an entire year, I witnessed his uncompromising vision, his deep trust in his actors, and his belief that cinema could inspire a world without war in the 21st century.

From 150 hours of footage—70 of which have been carefully digitized—I shaped this film not only as a record of a legendary director at work, but also as a testament to the human connections that form the heart of his art. My aim was to preserve the truth of those moments, so that future generations can feel Kurosawa’s presence, his values, and his unwavering hope for peace.