23 Days of Kurosawa: Coming This March

March 23, 1910: For many of us it's just another day in history. For me it's among the top 5 most important dates in the history of cinema. You see, on this day nearly 100 years ago, a man was born. Not just any man though, this man was Akira Kurosawa.

Over my time here, and on my previous journal, I've discussed my overbearing love for this legendary director. So as you can imagine when I found out his 100th birthday was only two months away I scrambled to come up with a way of honoring that most precious of days. What I've decided upon is simple and this: Starting March 1st and continuing through March 23rd this blog will be transformed into A Life in Equinox: A Kurosawa Lover's Journal. With the exception of my regular series and a comment on oscar winners/predicts this blog will spend 23 Days concentrating solely on the films of Akira Kurosawa.

If you don't like it, you can unfollow now (hence the major ahead of time notice). But I don't want this to be a "me" affair. Akira Kurosawa is one of the most influential directors of modern time. His films have inspired everything from Star Wars to Kill Bill. I would like to extend an open invitation to all bloggers/followers. If any of you have written, intend to write, or would like to write anything Kurosawa based email me at: lifeinequinox@gmail.com with the link(s). Below are the 23 films I intend to review as part of this marathon:

1. Yojimbo (“The Bodyguard”)
2. Sanjuro
3. Ran
4. Kagemusha
5. Rashomon
6. Ikiru (“To Live”)
7. Drunken Angel
8. Stray Dog
9. The Hidden Fortress
10. Red Beard
11. The Quiet Duel
12. Throne of Blood
13. Rhapsody in August
14. High and Low
15. The Bad Sleep Well
16. The Idiot
17. Mandadayo (“Not Yet”)
18. Dersu Uzala
19. I Live in Fear
20. The Lower Depths
21. Scandal
22. Dodesukaden (“Clickety-Clack”)
23. Seven Samurai

The only order that was taken into account is the first film Yojimbo was put there because I deem it his most openly accessible film. While Seven Samurai is last because I wanted to end with my absolute favorite Kurosawa film. Don't be too shocked though, even I haven't seen all of these (I have seen 19 of the 23 though), and I am by no means asking any of you to do this entire list. This is a self applied challenge, as much as a blogging event. My hope in this is to extend to you all the feelings of love and admiration for Kurosawa, that so support my cinematic love.

So if any of you would like to submit anything I'd greatly appreciate it. If you're unsure of which of these you'd like to dive into given your film taste I can happily supply my suggestions. I am posting this early to allow whoever wants, and myself, to get the films simply enough. Reminders:

This will begin March 1st. Expect some updates between now and then. If you'd like to participate email me at lifeinequinox@gmail.com.

Also: TCM will be playing Kurosawa films every tuesday in March leading up to the 23rd. You can find their schedule, here.

Thank you for your time and attention!