Dreams
A breathe taking and mesmerising film. Genuinely had me speak less and at awe. A collection of surreal and dream-like shorts based on dreams of Kurosawa. There's a mixture of joyess and sad tales helping the film perfectly blend this whimsical but poignant tone. The cinetography, sets, costumes, and music great a lushous and vivid tapestry of visuals. Kurosawa's imagination is on full display here.
As well as the gorgeous visuals and peculiar stories, there's a surprising amount of depth to this film. Each of the shorts having a message either surrounding around being at one with nature, respecting the environment, and environmentalism or will have anti-nuclear and anti-war themes. Some shorts showing the horrific effects of war whether being relatively grounded. Showing how much weights on a general after losing his whole Platoon or being more metaphorical about how the nuclear bombs dropped hurt the people, nation, and environment of Japan.
My particular favourite shorts being The Peach Orchard, The Tunnel, Crows, The Weeping Demon, and The Village of the Water Mills. If you're unable to watch the whole film I'd at least say give these individual ones a watch. You won't regret it. This film is a timeless work of art. Also there's a really cool appearance from Martin Scorsese so that's fun.