Recently watched the fabulous film Rashomon, which, I think justifiably, has gone down as one of the best films ever made.
It occurred to me as I watched it that its actually technically a pretty straight forward film.
We have a handful of actors.
A small handful of locations.
some great costumes.
Some dramatic weather.
An absolutley brilliant script.
And some tidy storytelling.
It occurred to me that none of these things other than the costumes probably, cost any money!
To talk crudely about this - I imagine the budget for this film went almost completely on the ruined temple in the rain and the costumes!
I guess what Im saying is that "money doesnt maketh the movie great."
Low budget film makers could take heart in this film - it really is down to perhaps 4 things:
1- Great performances
2- A Great script
3- A story that unfolds
4- A timeless idea that touches everyone/ that we can all relate to.
Of these maybe number 4 is the most important - but I suspect that each of these things supports the other.
But we all know this anyway.
so it goes.
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Those are probably the toughest and most important bits to get right. It's very true that you don't need a huge budget to make a good film.Originally posted by eidde:
An absolutley brilliant script.
Of these maybe number 4 is the most important
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ January 11, 2005 08:07 AM: Message edited by: Justin M. ]</font>
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">That's probably why everyone and their dog keeps remaking and reworking Shakespeare every few years.4- A timeless idea that touches everyone/ that we can all relate to.
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The man was a genius.
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ January 11, 2005 08:23 AM: Message edited by: jb. ]</font>
Don't forget, Kurosawa is one of the best directors to have ever walked on this earth as well.
One might say the performances are utterly over the top though. Because, in a way, they are. Name me three persons who constantly let themselves fall on the ground and cry and whatnot if a problem strikes them. The reason why you buy it (at least why I buy it) is because a) it's an entirely different culture, b)takes place in an entirely different time, c)I can't understand what they're saying.
I fucking love Kurosawa. His compositions are flawless, his use of cameramovements is superb, the way the attention is guided on screen is amazing. On top of that, he tells simple stories about humans, and loves to entertain.
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I'd agree with that. Ikiru is one of my favourite films.
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What the hell am I doing wrong?!
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ January 11, 2005 10:27 AM: Message edited by: jb. ]</font>
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