Film University: Ran

Akira Kurosawa was 75 when he directed 'Ran', which he has called “a series of human events seen from heaven.” The film is based on the Shakespearean tragedy 'King Lear', which deals with the power relations between a king and his three daughters. In 'Ran', Kurosawa transposes the tragedy to 17th century Japan, where a warlord (Tatsuya Nakadai) wants to divide his kingdom between his three sons. Kurosawa, who incidentally accused the English scoundrel of using too many words, transforms 'King Lear' into a visually striking work. The conflict between the three sons is visualized through the yellow, blue and red colors of their armies set against the gray-black slopes of the famous Mount Fuji. In the great battle scenes, terror and violence are united with breathless beauty.

The film is shown in a newly restored digital edition with English subtitles.

Director: Akira Kurosawa
Starring: Tatsuya Nakadai, Akira Terao, Jinpachi Nezu, Daisuke Ryu
Country/year: Japan, 1985
Running time: 161 min.
Formato: DCP 4K
Language: English subtitles
Age limit: Allowed for children over 15

Part of the series: Filmuniversitetet
Under the heading 'Filmuniversitetet', Cinemateket focuses on key works of film history with inspiring introductions by Jesper Andersen, former programme editor at Cinemateket, and film teacher at the People's University Peter Skovfoged Laursen.