Ran 1985
Born in Japan in 1910, director Akira Kurosawa proved his success with films such as Yojinbo, Seven Samurai, and Rashomon. His film Ran, released in 1985, is an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s King Lear. The film was nominated for Oscars in Best Art Direction, Best Set Design, and Best Director categories, winning in Best Costume Design. Starring Tatsuya Nakadai, Akira Terao, Daisuke Ryu, and Jinpachi Nezu, the film was made with a budget of 12 million dollars and is set in the 16th century. Critics and film enthusiasts consider Ran to be Kurosawa’s masterpiece. The original version of the film is 162 minutes long. In Ran, Lord Hidetora Ichimonji, inspired by King Lear, decides to divide his kingdom among his three sons – Taro, Jiro, and Saburo. However, this decision leads to a family war as the sons’ true intentions are revealed.
