Dreams (1990)

A collection of tales based upon the actual dreams of director Akira Kurosawa.

Directors:

Akira Kurosawa, Ishirô Honda (uncredited)

Writer:

Akira Kurosawa

Stars:

Akira Terao, Mitsuko Baishô, Toshie Negishi

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 3 wins & 10 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Akira Terao	...	I
Mitsuko Baishô	...	Mother of 'I'
Toshie Negishi	...	Mother carrying child
Mieko Harada	...	The Snow Fairy
Mitsunori Isaki	...	'I' as a boy
Toshihiko Nakano	...	'I' as a young child
Yoshitaka Zushi	...	Pvt. Noguchi
Hisashi Igawa	...	Nuclear Plant Worker
Chôsuke Ikariya	...	The crying demon
Chishû Ryû	...	Old Man
Martin Scorsese	...	Vincent Van Gogh
Masayuki Yui	...	Member of climbing team
Tessho Yamashita
Misato Tate
Catherine Cadou

Storyline

This is essentially eight separate short films, though with some overlaps in terms of characters and thematic material - chiefly that of man's relationship with his environment. 'Sunshine Through The Rain': a young boy is told not to go out on the day when both weather conditions occur, because that's when the foxes hold their wedding procession, which could have fatal consequences for those who witness it. 'The Peach Orchard': the same young boy encounters the spirits of the peach trees that have been cut down by heartless humans. 'The Blizzard': a team of mountaineers are saved from a blizzard by spiritual intervention. 'The Tunnel': a man encounters the ghosts of an army platoon, whose deaths he was responsible for. 'Crows': an art student encounters 'Vincent Van Gogh' and enters the world of his paintings. 'Mount Fuji in Red': nuclear meltdown threatens the devastation of Japan. 'The Weeping Demon': a portrait of a post-nuclear world populated by human mutations. 'Village of the ...

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Plot Keywords:

japanese boy | japanese woman | japanese mother | mother son relationship | sandal | 

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Taglines:

The past, present, and future. The thoughts and images of one man... for all men. One man's dreams... for every dreamer.

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

Japan USA

Language:

Japanese French English

Release Date:

24 August 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Akira Kurosawa's Dreams

Filming Locations:

Daio Wasabi Farm, Azumino, Nagano, Japan

Box Office

Budget:

$12,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$1,963,207

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,963,207

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Akira Kurosawa USA

Technical Specs

Runtime:

119 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

A clip from this film can be seen in Richard Linklater's film Waking Life (2001).

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Quotes

[first lines]
Mother of 'I': You're staying home. The sun is shining but it's raining.

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Connections

Referenced in At the Movies: Wayne's World/Medicine Man/Final Analysis/Voyager/Rhapsody in August (1992)

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Soundtracks

In the Village
(from "Caucasian Sketches, Suite for Orchestra Op. 10, No. 2")
Music by Mikhail Ippolitov-Ivanov (as Ippolitov-Ivanov)
Conducted by Vladimir Fedoseyev (as Vladimir Fedoseev)
Performed by Moscow Radio Symphony Orchestra

User Reviews

Breathtaking and mesmerizing

It is difficult to categorize Kurosawa movies in any formal sort of way. Similarly to Kubrick Kurosawa is a visionary and a complete artist. No matter what he undertakes he is relentless in his pursuit of perfection and truth of the art of film making. Visually he is the master that everyone should be inspired by. As a story teller, he layers plot and characters in the depths of emotional revelations.

Dreams is an experience in film making. More then a mere moment of film magic it is a work of art to aspire to.

Enjoy the breadth and scope of a vision translated to vibrant imagery. Of all the great directors of our time Kurosawa has yet to be fully recognized by the majority of movie goers. Dreams is a great starting point in the study of the genius of Kurosawa. Do not lose patience and indulge in his captivating world. You will not regret it.