novelraw Chapter 167: Kurosawa Eiji's Broad-mindedness! The Epoch-making Evaluation of "Seven Samurai"!
Chapter 167: Kurosawa Eiji's Broad-mindedness! The Epoch-making Evaluation of "Seven Samurai"!
Early morning, when Tokyo's thin mist was torn apart by the first ray of sunlight, spilling onto the texture of the city, countless newspapers, like seeds scattered, on streets and alleys, along the edges of cafe tables, by the handrails of trains, took root and sprouted, rapidly blooming one after another flower named "Miracle".
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The front page headline of 'Kinema Junpo', using a touch close to epic to announce the end of an era and the beginning of another era:
"'Seven Samurai': A revolution of movies, a baptism of spirit. It was born out of samurai films, yet transcends samurai films, previous samurai films, were all just kendo films, and it, is the true samurai film!"
The author of this article, is exactly Tanaka Kenta.
He used an unprecedentedly impassioned writing style, to strip this work "Seven Samurai", from the traditional film category, endowing it with a deeper level of cultural and philosophical meaning.
He wrote: "We once thought, samurai films were nothing more than the flesh and blood slaughter of swords and shadows, the cheerful gratitude and resentment of kindness and grudges. However, Nohara Hiroshi and Kurosawa Eiji, yet used 'Seven Samurai', to reveal to us the true connotation of Bushido: that is not the shackles of identity, not the exquisiteness of swordsmanship, but facing the torrents of the era, facing the fatalism of class, that tenacious will, that compassionate sentiment, that responsibility of going forward despite millions of people!"
'Asahi Shimbun' instead used a more grand perspective, to explore "Seven Samurai"'s reshaping of national spirit:
"'Seven Samurai': A hymn to humanity in the torrents of the era! It uses the tragic fate of seven samurai, to reflect our nation's struggle and transformation in the course of history. Those farmers who were once regarded as 'commoners', used their slyness and tenacity, ultimately becoming the masters of the new era. And those samurai who once represented glory and order, were ruthlessly crushed under the rolling wheels of the era. This is not simple victory or defeat, this is historical inevitability, and even more our profound reflection on our own destiny!"
Even those 'Shukan Bunshun' and 'FRIDAY' which ordinarily only paid attention to celebrity gossip, also rarely restrained their viciousness, using a slightly hesitant yet having to admit posture, pushing "Seven Samurai" onto the altar: "The birth of a miracle! Nohara Hiroshi's 'Easter egg', is not a joke, but the ultimate pursuit of film art! He used the profound connotation of 'Seven Samurai', to give us a philosophy lesson about 'class' and 'era'! We once questioned him for 'forgetting his roots', once mocked him as an 'elite', but now, we have to admit, he, is the one who truly understood our nation, understood our era, and used a movie to perfectly present it, the true genius!"
These film reviews, like sparking fire starting a prairie fire, rapidly ignited the entire Nippon society.
People began to re-examine "Seven Samurai", re-think those words spoken by Nohara Hiroshi at the press conference.
Those hearts once blinded by "class antagonism", under the baptism of the movie, were gradually shocked by the grand narrative of "era" and "humanity".
There were even some bold film critics, directly making a brand new classification of samurai films in Nippon film history.
They defined the samurai films before "Seven Samurai", as "kendo films of the pre-Kurosawa Eiji period", although those films also had wonderful martial arts choreography, but ultimately remained on the level of "skill", failing to touch the essence of "Dao".
And the samurai films shot from a grander era perspective after "Seven Samurai", were worthy of the appellation "samurai film".
They even unsparingly praised Director Kurosawa Eiji, after a decade of silence, finally walking out of a new height again, reaching an unprecedented realm.
This evaluation, undoubtedly pushed Kurosawa Eiji onto the altar again, and also made "Seven Samurai" become an insurpassable, epoch-making milestone!
Since the release of "Seven Samurai", everyone is praising Kurosawa Eiji, everyone is sighing with emotion at the handiwork of this master.
Public opinion, directly pushed Kurosawa Eiji onto the altar!
...
TV Tokyo 17th floor, inside Asumi's office.
Sunshine spilled through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the entire office brightly. At this moment the atmosphere inside the office, was even hotter and more cheerful than the sunshine.
Asumi sat behind the desk, holding a freshly delivered newspaper in hand, hanging an unsuppressible wild joy on his face.
Opposite him, Kurosawa Eiji was sitting upright on the sofa, similarly flipping through a newspaper, only his face at this moment carried a complex expression.
"Hahahaha! Director Kurosawa! You look! You look at this newspaper!"
Asumi's voice was excited to the point of trembling slightly: "That old guy Tanaka Kenta, actually praised your 'Seven Samurai', into a 'miracle'! Also said after a decade of silence, you walked out to a new height again! This... this is simply an unprecedented praise ah!"
Kurosawa Eiji merely snorted lightly, not speaking.
He flipped the newspaper in his hand to the next page, up there, impressively printed was a paragraph of overflowing praise towards him: "Director Kurosawa Eiji, with his profound directing skills, perfectly presented Mr. Nohara Hiroshi's epoch-making script on the silver screen. He used camera language, to intertwine the grandness of 'era' and the minuteness of 'humanity', into a tragic yet powerful epic. This sufficiently proves, old ginger is spicier, Director Kurosawa's artistic life, is endless!"
He looked at these praises, on that old face always full of pride and stubbornness, at this moment yet surfaced a bitter smile.
"Miracle? New height?" Kurosawa Eiji lightly put the newspaper on the table, his voice carrying a trace of self-mockery: "They pushed all the credit, onto this old guy me. Yet didn't mention a single word about the true soul of this movie, the true creator, who exactly is it."
Hearing this Asumi, was slightly stunned.
He looked at Kurosawa Eiji, a trace of comprehension flashing in his eyes.
"Director Kurosawa, are you feeling uneven for Hiroshi-kun?"
Asumi smiled and shook his head, kindly shrugging his shoulders: "You worry too much. Hiroshi-kun he ah, has always respected you very much. He knows, your dedication to this movie, is absolutely not inferior to anyone. Moreover, what he needs the most right now, is exactly this 'official certification' from you. With a 'living legend' like you personally endorsing him, his status, his prestige, can then reach an unprecedented height in the shortest amount of time. So ah, you shouldn't think too much. Anyway, he won't care about these empty titles."
"Empty titles?" Kurosawa Eiji violently slapped the table, that massive sound making the teacup also tremble from it!
On that weather-beaten old face of his, at this moment written full of undisguised fury: "Asumi! Do you think, I Kurosawa Eiji, am that kind of despicable villain who would snatch other people's credit?! I shot movies for a lifetime, I've never bowed my head to anyone, never compromised with any capital! I Kurosawa Eiji, in this life, only use my works to speak! I never snatch other people's credit, even less would I let a young man, bear a bad name not belonging to him!"
Asumi looked at Kurosawa Eiji's flushed red face, all the smiles in his eyes had faded, leaving only a kind of deep helplessness.
He knew Kurosawa Eiji was truly angry.
He knew this old man, that stinky temper of his harder than a samurai sword, wouldn't change in this lifetime.
"Director Kurosawa, don't be agitated." Asumi sighed, his voice carrying a trace of bitterness: "I understand your meaning. You want to hold a press conference, to personally clarify to the media, to return all the glory, back to Hiroshi-kun right?"
"That's right." Kurosawa Eiji merely heavily nodded his head.
"But..."
Asumi's voice grew all the more heavy: "Have you ever thought about it, if a press conference is really held, then you Kurosawa Eiji, the glory of this lifetime, will become a wedding dress for Nohara Hiroshi ah. You will personally, hand over the title of 'Master of Samurai Films' that you've worked hard for half a century, to someone else. When the time comes, those fans who once held you up as a god, those peers who once followed you for half their lives, how will they view you? They will think, you are senile, you were thoroughly blinded by a young man!"
"I don't care." Kurosawa Eiji's voice, was peaceful raising not the slightest ripple.
He slowly stood up, walking to the window, casting his gaze peacefully out the window towards that steel city gradually awakening in the morning light.
"They are right." He muttered to himself, that voice carrying a trace of imperceptible desolation, yet also harboring a kind of thorough washing clean followed by a relief: "Those I shot before, indeed were all just hacking and slashing kendo films. I once thought, I had already exhaustively shot the glory of samurai, the tragicness of samurai. But until I saw Nohara-kun's script, saw the 'samurai' under his lens..."
He paused, in those sharp eyes, flashing a kind of light, sufficient to make anyone convinced by it.
"Only then did I understand, I, Kurosawa Eiji, in this life, only shot the 'shape' of a samurai. And Nohara Hiroshi, he, is the one who truly understood the 'soul' of a samurai!"
"He used 'Seven Samurai', to reveal to us the true connotation of Bushido: that is not the shackles of identity, not the exquisiteness of swordsmanship, but facing the torrents of the era, facing the fatalism of class, that tenacious will, that compassionate sentiment, that responsibility of going forward despite millions of people! He, is the true, father of samurai films!"
Kurosawa Eiji's voice, became more impassioned.
"Since the era has already chosen Nohara Hiroshi, then I Kurosawa Eiji choose to admit it. I choose to pave flat that path leading to the 'altar' for this young man! I choose to let my name, become the, last stepping stone for Nohara Hiroshi to ascend to the throne!"
Asumi blankly stood at his original spot.
He looked at that old man, on that weather-beaten face, at this moment written full of magnanimity and pride, like an unshakable mountain peak.
He finally understood.
Kurosawa Eiji, he is not senile.
He is also not blinded by Nohara Hiroshi.
He is merely, using an artist's purest posture, most sublime soul, to embrace that, true "miracle", belonging to the new era!
He is using his own way, to offer his last, and also greatest, gift, for that young man, for that new era!
"Good!" Asumi took a deep breath, all the doubts and worries in his eyes had faded, only left a kind of, heartfelt admiration and... respect.
Towards Kurosawa Eiji, he deeply bowed.
"Director Kurosawa, I understand." Asumi's voice, carried a trace of trembling, yet also full of strength: "You rest assured. I will arrange it for you. I will let everyone know, Kurosawa Eiji, you, are the one who truly surpassed the era, surpassed himself, offering the greatest work for our nation, the true... master!"
Kurosawa Eiji merely smiled, not speaking.
He turned around, once again casting his gaze out the window towards that steel city gradually awakening in the morning light.
He knew, a new storm, was about to descend.
And he Kurosawa Eiji, will use the identity of a bystander, to witness that brand new era, belonging only to Nohara Hiroshi, finally descending!
...
Nohara Hiroshi's Independent Production Department office, outside the window was Tokyo Bay's profound blue, echoing the cold reinforced concrete of the city skyline.
However, this sense of alienation belonging to the metropolis, yet didn't invade in the slightest into this square inch of land ignited by creativity and passion.
Sunshine tenderly sprinkled on the mahogany desk through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, plating a layer of golden edge on the mountainous pile of manuscripts.
The air permeated with a busyness and precipitation peaking belonging to this era.
Nohara Hiroshi sat upright behind the desk, the pen tip flowing with a river of light and shadow, constructing one after another wondrous miniature universes on snow-white drawing paper.
He didn't lift his head, merely lightly tapping his fingertips, distributing copies of already perfected rough drafts, along with detailed storyboards, precise lighting layouts, and even meticulous camera arrangements, to those three capable subordinates sitting rigidly in front of him with solemn expressions.
"Section Chief Hashishita, this is the subsequent storyboards for the fifth season of 'Yamishibai'."
Nohara Hiroshi's voice was peaceful: "The core of the fifth season, lies in the ultimate rendering of 'daily horror'. We don't need to pursue blood and gore, just need to present those bizarrenesses hiding in the crevices of the city, in a way closest to life. Lighting should be oppressive, tone should be dreary, every character's eyes, must reveal that numbness and despair of being eroded by invisible things. Remember, true horror, often comes from within, not outward appearance."
Hashishita Ichiro took that thick stack of manuscripts, his hands trembling slightly.
He looked at the exquisitely peerless storyboards on the manuscript, every angle, every composition, was like a sharpest scalpel, precisely cutting open the deepest fear in people's hearts.
He knew, this will again be a season, a "masterpiece" sufficient to make all late-night animation lovers waken in terror from their dreams.
"Manager, I understand!" Hashishita Ichiro's voice carried unsuppressible excitement, bowing deeply: "I guarantee, to lead all colleagues of the Animation Section, to perfectly present every one of your ideas on the silver screen!"
"En, very good."
Nohara Hiroshi nodded, shifting his gaze to Yamamoto Takeshi: "Section Chief Yamamoto, this is the final finalized draft for the third season of 'Tales of the Unusual'."
He pushed another similarly detailed manuscript in front of Yamamoto Takeshi: "The third season, we want to integrate more satire and reflection on social phenomena, on the foundation of the 'Urban Legend Universe'. For example this episode 'Electronic Product Dependency', isn't just telling the dangers of electronic product addiction, even more so is exploring the loneliness and alienation of modern people swept up by the torrents of information. The handling of lighting and shadow, boldly utilize warm and cool contrast, to create a psychedelic feeling of intertwining virtual and reality. On the aspect of soundtrack, then highlight that kind of iciness and alienation full of a sense of technology, letting the audiences while watching, also feel a deep sense of powerlessness."
Yamamoto Takeshi took the manuscript, on that face always cold and hard like chiseled by a knife and axe, at this moment also written full of unsuppressible shock.
He looked at those futuristic scene designs on the manuscript, those precise captures of human weaknesses, those profound insights into social problems, he felt Nohara Hiroshi's talent, had long surpassed the simple "producer" category, but more like a thinker, taking light and shadow as a pen, taking the era as paper.
"Manager, your conception, is simply... a stroke of genius!" Yamamoto Takeshi's voice carried a trace of trembling, he dared to guarantee, the third season of "Tales of the Unusual", will again stir up a national discussion regarding "urban legends".
Lastly, Nohara Hiroshi's gaze landed on Tanaka Kei.
"Section Chief Tanaka, this is the process and details for the second season grand finale of 'Kasou Taishou'."
He handed the last manuscript to Tanaka Kei, a faint smile surfacing on his face: "For the grand finale, what we want isn't simple comedy, but we want every participant, to be able to present their most authentic, most moving side on the stage. Lighting should be warm, soundtrack should be impassioned, the connection of every segment, must strive for perfection. We want to let audiences, feel warmth in the laughter, experience hope in being moved. This, is the true core of our 'Kasou Taishou'."
Tanaka Kei took the manuscript, on that already somewhat serious face, at this moment written full of unsuppressible excitement.
He looked at those detail designs full of human touch on the manuscript, that respect and care toward the dreams of "ordinary people".
The reason why Nohara Hiroshi's programs, could become "national masterpieces", isn't just because of its creativity, even more so because of that profound understanding of humanity and compassionate sentiment.
"Manager, I understand!" Tanaka Kei's voice was so excited it was somewhat incoherent.
He knew the viewership ratings of the grand finale, would definitely break records again.
The three section chiefs, at this moment all stood at their original spots looking at the manuscripts in their hands, as if heavy as a thousand catties.
They looked at that young man still peacefully sitting behind the desk, as if only doing a most ordinary thing, a kind of indescribable sentiment rose up in their hearts.
"Manager..." Hashishita Ichiro was the first to open his mouth, his voice carrying a trace of heartfelt admiration: "Your brain, is simply... inhuman ah! Whether it's thriller, fantasy or warmth, you can pluck them at hand, and every detail, is considered so comprehensively, so exquisitely! We... we are truly far behind making us only see the dust ah!"
"Yeah!" Yamamoto Takeshi also heavily nodded, his face written full of admiration: "Every one of your ideas, is like a bolt of lightning tearing through the darkness, instantly illuminating our direction forward. Following you, we feel as if we've also touched the true meaning of art."
"And most importantly!" Tanaka Kei was even more flushed with excitement, "Manager, every one of your guidances, is not only an improvement on the technical level, even more so a baptism on the spiritual level! You let us know, doing programs, is not just for viewership ratings, but even more so for transmitting warmth, for awakening people's hearts!"
"Don't say such mushy words." Nohara Hiroshi merely smiled.
But he also understood.
These three capable subordinates, were now already thoroughly convinced by him, becoming the most solid cornerstone of his cultural empire.
Right at this time, Tanaka Kei seemingly suddenly thought of something, he took out several newspapers from his briefcase, his face written full of excitement.
"By the way, Manager! You look at these newspapers! Now the entire Nippon, is going crazy for your 'Seven Samurai'!"
He spread out the newspapers on the table, pointing to that eye-catching headline on the front page, his voice excited: "You look! That old guy Tanaka Kenta of 'Kinema Junpo', actually praised your 'Seven Samurai', into a 'miracle'! Also said it 'was born out of samurai films, yet transcends samurai films, previous samurai films, were all just kendo films, and it, is the true samurai film'!"
"Yeah!" Yamamoto Takeshi also chimed in echoing, his face written full of pride, "Now all film critics, are all using 'Dao' and 'Skill' to describe your movie! They say, previous samurai films, all just remained on the level of 'Skill', only knowing how to dance swords and play with spears, hack and slash. And your 'Seven Samurai', however touched the 'Dao' of Bushido, touched the 'Dao' of the era, touched the 'Dao' of humanity!"
"Even those third-rate entertainment tabloids, are all praising you too!" Hashishita Ichiro also chimed in: "They say, it's you, who redefined samurai films in Nippon film history! They even defined the samurai films before 'Seven Samurai', altogether as 'kendo films of the pre-Kurosawa Eiji period', and after 'Seven Samurai', only then does it deserve the appellation of 'samurai film'!"
Hearing this Nohara Hiroshi, yet furrowed his brows slightly without being noticed.
He put down the drawing pen in his hand, in those clear eyes, flashing a trace of inquiry.
"Oh?" His voice was peaceful: "Is that what they say? 'Kendo films of the pre-Kurosawa Eiji period'? How exactly is this classification explained?"
The three looked at each other, and all saw a tacitly understood excitement from each other's eyes.
They knew, the Manager had produced interest towards these evaluations.
"It's like this, Manager." Tanaka Kei hurriedly explained: "They say, Director Kurosawa's previous works, although also had wonderful martial arts choreography, but ultimately remained on the level of 'Skill', failing to touch the essence of 'Dao'. And your 'Seven Samurai', yet with a more grand era perspective, a more profound anatomy of humanity, elevated Bushido to an unprecedented philosophical height. So, they believe, only your 'Seven Samurai', is worthy of the appellation 'samurai film'."
"Moreover, they also said, Director Kurosawa in a decade of silence, finally walked out to a new height again, reaching an unprecedented realm. This evaluation, undoubtedly pushed Director Kurosawa onto the altar again, and also made 'Seven Samurai' become an insurpassable, epoch-making milestone!" Yamamoto Takeshi also added, his tone full of admiration towards Kurosawa Eiji.
Hashishita Ichiro also nodded along, his face carrying a trace of doubt: "Now the entire Nippon is praising Director Kurosawa, saying his precious sword is not old, is the true father of samurai films. But... Manager, don't you feel, this kind of statement, is a bit... a bit wrong ah?"
Just as his voice fell, Tanaka Kei and Yamamoto Takeshi's expressions also slightly paused.
They also realized something.
"Yeah..." Tanaka Kei's voice was somewhat hesitant: "Dividing it this way, wouldn't it belittle all of Director Kurosawa's previous works? And... and we all know, this movie 'Seven Samurai', in reality is... is the Manager's handiwork ah."
Yamamoto Takeshi also nodded along, his face written full of worry: "Manager, now public opinion has elevated Director Kurosawa too high. We are all worried, whether the old man will... will precisely because of this snatch your credit, or... or harbor jealousy towards you, and cause some unpleasantness. After all, you are still young, just in case a conflict happens, you will suffer a loss ah."
The three looked at Nohara Hiroshi, their gazes full of concern and worry.
They knew although Nohara Hiroshi was overflowing with talent, but after all his qualifications were still shallow.
And Kurosawa Eiji, but the Mount Tai and North Star of the Nippon film industry, if he really wanted to snatch credit, or harbor dissatisfaction towards Nohara Hiroshi, then for Nohara Hiroshi, it's undoubtedly a massive disaster.
However hearing this Nohara Hiroshi, merely lightly waved his hand.
"You guys are worrying too much."
His voice was peaceful: "I believe in Director Kurosawa. He is not that kind of person who would snatch credit, nor is he that kind of person who would be jealous of a junior. He is a true artist, a pure filmmaker worthy of all of our respect."
He paused, in those clear eyes, flashing a trace of respect.
"Moreover, what you guys said is right, this statement 'kendo films of the pre-Kurosawa Eiji period', indeed is somewhat exaggerated, and also somewhat inappropriate."
Nohara Hiroshi's voice carried a trace of helplessness: "Director Kurosawa's previous samurai films, although leaning towards the depiction of swordsmanship, but similarly full of thoughts on humanity, insights into the era. They are indelible classics in Nippon film history, are true artworks. Belittling them as 'kendo films', or even stepping on them in order to set off 'Seven Samurai', this for Director Kurosawa, is a kind of supreme humiliation."
"Kendo, is inherently a part of Bushido, is the concretization of the samurai spirit. How can one just for the so-called 'Dao', go deny the value of 'Skill'?"
Nohara Hiroshi shook his head, a faint self-mockery surfacing on his face: "This kind of act of praising one and stepping on the other, is those media deliberately doing it in order to create topics, in order to attract eyeballs. We can't be led by the nose by them."
"So, you guys completely don't need to worry."
Nohara Hiroshi looked at the three, a mild smile blossoming on his face again: "As for those empty titles, I don't care. As long as 'Seven Samurai' can be seen by more people, can trigger more people's thoughts on 'era' and 'humanity', then that's enough."
The three fell silent upon hearing this.
They looked at Nohara Hiroshi's peaceful eyes, those hearts that had originally been somewhat swayed, became firm again.
This kind of youth but not arrogant.
Possessing a broad chest without jealousy.
Willing to share the credit with everyone rather than swallowing it all by oneself.
Is already a king's demeanor!
'Knock knock knock——'
Just at this time, the office door was lightly knocked.
Kitagawa Yao walked in, in those big bright eyes that were always shining, at this moment written full of unsuppressible wild joy, even more so a brilliant smile hung on her face.
"Manager! Manager! Big news! Heaven-shaking big news ah!"
Her voice trembled slightly due to excitement, waving a freshly baked box office report in hand, she rushed to Nohara Hiroshi's desk.
"'Seven Samurai'! The latest box office of our 'Seven Samurai' ——"
She took a deep breath, and using a voice close to a hoarse roar, shouted out that number, sufficient to make the entire Nippon film industry tremble from it!
"——Has already broken through the one billion yen mark!"
"Boom——!"
The office resounded explosively with a bang!
One billion yen?!
Tanaka Kei, Yamamoto Takeshi, Hashishita Ichiro, these three section chiefs who were just immersed in sighing with emotion over Nohara Hiroshi's broad-mindedness, at this moment all blankly stood at their original spots, those faces, written full of unbelievable horror!
One must know, it has only been less than a week since "Seven Samurai" premiered ah!
"Miracle... This is simply a miracle ah!" Tanaka Kei was so excited he was incoherent, he didn't even know what words to categorize his mood at this moment, he merely instinctively deeply bowed towards Nohara Hiroshi: "Manager! You... you created a miracle again!"
"Congratulations Manager!" Yamamoto Takeshi and Hashishita Ichiro also excitedly bowed in succession, in that voice, full of absolute trust and fanaticism towards Nohara Hiroshi's god-like ability!
On Nohara Hiroshi's face, a heartfelt smile finally appeared as well. He knew, this was just the beginning.
"Not bad." Nohara Hiroshi peacefully nodded, in those clear eyes, flashing infinite longing towards the future.
He knew, the box office of "Seven Samurai", would definitely in the following few days, even weeks, continue to crazily climb at an astonishing speed!
"According to this momentum!" Tanaka Kei's voice was so excited it was trembling slightly, "The final box office of our 'Seven Samurai', can absolutely break through the fifty billion yen mark! Even... even possibly, challenge those box office records of Hollywood blockbusters!"
"That's right!" Yamamoto Takeshi also heavily nodded, his face written full of pride.
This wasn't an exaggerated statement.
But a fact.
Because the premiere period for Nippon movies is usually three months.
Now in one week's time it's already one billion.
Then the remaining three months, reaching fifty billion yen, is it still a delusion?!
This is an achievable goal now!
Hashishita Ichiro also chimed in echoing, his face written full of excitement: "Manager! You've created a miracle again! Can we prepare for the celebration banquet early?!"
"There will definitely be a celebration banquet!" Hearing this everyone laughed cheerfully.
"A celebration banquet needs to be prepared, but not now." Nohara Hiroshi leaned back in his chair, his face also carrying a smile: "Don't pop the champagne at half-time, everybody stay calm, next up, there are still more miracles, waiting for us."
(End of Chapter)