The Hidden Fortress - A Japanese Film By Akiro Kurosawa: Events in Hyderabad

The movie that inspired the Star Wars franchise, as admitted by Lucas himself. Need we say more?

The Hyderabad Film Club, as part of the ongoing retrospective on Japanese Director Akira Kurosawa from 14th to 18th October, is screening The Hidden Fortress, on 16th October at the Sarathi Studios. The Hidden Fortress relates the time-honored tale of ordinary people caught up in extraordinary circumstances. In this case, two selfish, squabbling farmers, left with nothing in the wake of a brutal war, stumble upon an odd traveling party consisting of a domineering strong man, a pretty young woman and some pack horses.

It turns out that the man is a disguised General sneaking his defeated rulers' heir - a princess - with the clan's gold to safety with an ally across enemy territory, and he commandeers the farmers to help him. The ragtag group encounters several seemingly impossible situations, and many life lessons are learned.

Star Wars creator George Lucas has admitted that Kurosawa's The Hidden Fortress served as the inspiration for his own phenomenally successful space opera. But even so, there's certainly more to The Hidden Fortress than just being the answer to a Star Wars trivia question.

This 1958 Kurosawa swashbuckler was intended to spoof the popular swordplay thrillers of the day; it has plenty of action and humor, and is perhaps the director's most accessible film for Western viewers. It is not the massive battles or thrilling duels that win over the audience - whether it be the comical antics of the farmers, the sardonic, self-assuredness of general's character, or the transformation of the Princess from a spoiled brat to regal warrior, it is the The Hidden Fortress' ability to make you care about its characters that makes it a truly memorable film. Ultimately, it is the human element that matters most of all.

With Akira Kurosawa's death in 1998, the world lost one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. Kurosawa was acclaimed as an original and great filmmaker during his lifetime, nationally and internationally. His films received a number of prestigious awards at home and abroad. He had directed 30 feature films.

Please contact Bh S S Prakash Reddy of the Hyderabad Film Club at 2373-0841/93910-20243 for further details.