DREAMS

DREAMS was made by filmmaker who spent his life observing humanity and nature with equal seriousness. It's Kurosawa's most personal film, made at a point in his life when he no longer had anything left to prove.

DREAMS film is structured as eight loosely connected dreams, many drawn directly from his own memories and anxieties. There is no conventional plot. Each dream stands on its own, yet together they form a self-portrait. Kurosawa moves between childhood fear, war, art, nature, and death with the freedom of someone who understands this may be his final statement.

The film’s production has become part of its legend. Funding proved difficult to secure in Japan, and several segments were ultimately financed through international support from the United States, France, and Germany. Martin Scorsese appears in one episode as Vincent van Gogh, a casting choice that speaks to the film’s deep engagement with artistic legacy. I guess when you're Kurosawa, you can call in favour from just about anybody.

On release, the DREAMS divided audiences. Some find it a bit too abstract. However, if you’re a cinephile or even just a fan of Japanese cinema, I'm confident you'll find this a rewarding watch .