Filmmaker Kiyoshi Kurosawa prioritizes meticulous research into his films’ settings and backdrops, immersing himself in extensive reading to achieve a high degree of realism.
His latest thriller, “Cloud,” features Masaki Suda as a man facing hardship who engages in questionable online resale practices, profiting substantially. The narrative escalates as the protagonist encounters victims seeking retribution.
Kurosawa is known for his unflinching depiction of violence, often characterized by its graphic nature and extreme intensity, yet presented with striking cinematography that can, at times, lend a darkly humorous or bizarre quality.
In his 1997 film “Cure,” a police detective, portrayed by Koji Yakusho, investigates a series of brutal murders. The film employs continuous, uncut shots to effectively convey the characters’ complex emotions and their chilling detachment, with shifts in their demeanor occurring dramatically within single scenes to explore themes of madness.
Despite his commitment to realism, Kurosawa, who cites Alfred Hitchcock as an influence, does not shy away from incorporating subtle, unreal elements to cultivate a distinctively eerie atmosphere. He has stated that his films are never lighthearted.
“Everything being happy is not possible if you start with the realism of modern-day Japan,” Kurosawa commented.
Kurosawa views filmmaking as a complex collaborative process involving numerous individuals, with producers focused on box office performance and actors on their roles. However, he believes the ultimate success of a film hinges on adhering to one’s core convictions.
“it all boils down to: I understand there are manny opinions, but we must choose what is right. What does being right mean? To figure that out is the creator’s job,” he stated.
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Yuri Kageyama can be found on Threads at: https://www.threads.com/@yurikageyama