Posted: November 18th, 2015

Write a two-part essay, the first half dealing with Bergman and the second part will be on Kurosawa.

The minimum word length is 2,500 words.

Write a two-part essay, the first half dealing with Bergman and the second part will be on Kurosawa. In each part, spend some, but a limited amount of time on information about the two directors. The second part of each section should follow the prompt “what the films make you think about.”

In other words, what are the questions raised in your mind when thinking about The Seventh Seal and Persona? What are you personal reflections on how you might answer for yourself those questions? Do the same with Kurosawa’s Roshomon and Yojimbo. Granted, Yojimbo is, on the surface, the least “philosophical” of the films, but even Yojimbo raises interesting questions about even current political battles for power (i.e., what do you think about Yojimbo’s role in the village’s “war?”).

I’m asking you to take this approach to this writing assignment because both Bergman and Kurosawa’s intentionally make films that ask more questions than they answer.

Films by/about Ingmar Bergman:

The Seventh Seal (dir., Ingmar Bergman, 1957)

Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey (dir. Peter Hewitt, 1991)

Last Action Hero (dir. John McTierman, 1993)

Wild Strawberries (dir. Bergman, 1957)

Cries and Whispers (Bergman, 1957)

Persona (Bergman, 1966)

Love and Death (dir. Woody Allen, 1957)

Films by/about Akira Kurosawa:

Rashomon (dir. Kurosawa, 1950)

The Seven Samurai (Kurosawa, 1954)

The Magnificent Seven (dir. John Sturges, 1960) – Hollywood remake of The Seven Samurai

The Hidden Fortress (Kurosawa, 1958) – an inspiration for Star Wars

Yojimbo (Kurosawa, 1961, starring Tohiro Mifune )

Scenes from Saturday Night Live with John Belushi, (NBC Television, 1975)

A Fist Full of Dollars (dir. Sergio Leone, 1964 starring Clint Eastwood) – Hollywood remake of Yojimbo.