First in a two-part profile of Japanese film-maker Akira Kurosawa, looking at his childhood, early career and emergence as a major director during the American occupation. Kurosawa's samurai roots and traumatic early experiences influenced many of his films, including "Rashomon", which brought him international fame after it won the Golden Lion at the 1951 Venice Film Festival.
Narrated by Sam Shepard with readings from Kurosawa's autobiography by Paul Scofield. Concludes next Saturday.
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