Daily Movie Rec 8/11/2023
Sanshiro Sugata (1943)
"You're strong... very strong. Maybe even stronger than me. But... your judo and my judo... are worlds apart. Do you know why? Because you don't understand humanity. Teaching judo to such a man... is like giving a knife to a lunatic."
Directed by: Akira Kurosawa
Cinematography by: Akira Mimura
Country: Japan
Plot:
A man who bullies people with his strength - he can literally throw grown men so hard that they die - has his discipline honed through judo and swiftly climbs the ranks.
Reasons to watch:
Filmmaking legend Akira Kurosawa's directorial debut, Sanshiro Sugata, is an undervalued masterpiece. The Japanese director was ahead of his time from the word 'action.' Though the plot of Sanshiro Sugata is extremely basic, Kurosawa's symbolism, compositions, and seemingly innate understanding of the form and visual storytelling thrust this low-budget sports flick into the upper echelons with his other greatest works. His technique burst with innovation and style, and his images are stunningly poetic, told with the bold and brilliant visual language of a future master. Not to diminish the performances, but Sanshiro Sugata was undoubtedly the Kurosawa show: his camera and developing (yet immediately prodigious) artistry the real main stars.
Where to watch:
The Criterion Channel
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