Gilbert: Freshman Studies: Fall 99:
Kurosawa's Rashomon

Monday, October 4:

  1. For Monday: read the script, pp. 31-91

  2. Come to class prepared to describe your initial impressions of the film. Be prepared also to help construct an outline of the story as it unfolds in the film:

    • Where and when is the story set?
    • Who are the characters? What are they like?
    • What is the basic story line?
    • Where does each major event occur?
    • What happens? In what sequence?
    • How do the characters react to the circumstances in which they find themselves?
    • What features of the film and/or story attracted your attention?

  3. Take a look at the poster for Rashomon that's available through our links page: http://www.lawrence.edu/fac/gilbertp/fs99/links.html. Construct a one-sentence tagline that could appear on this poster. Something like: "Sixth Sense: Not Every Gift is a Blessing" or "American Pie: There's Something About Your First Piece."

  4. See the movie again Monday or Tuesday night (7:00 p.m. in Stansbury). This time pay attention to the technical aspects of the film: the acting (is it realistic? should it be?), the camera work (angles, close-ups, long shots...), the lighting (where and when does the light change?...), the music (how does the music contribute (or detract) from the mood?)...

Wednesday, October 6:

  1. Attend the lecture by Professor Dintenfass in Stansbury Theatre.

  2. In preparation for this lecture, read the two Akutagawa stories from which Kurosawa drew his material (pp. 95-109) and reread the script, paying attention to the stage directions as well as the dialog. As always, take good lecture notes and prepare a one-page summary of one or two main points of the lecture to bring to class on Friday.

Friday, October 8:

  1. Read the Richie piece (pp 1-21), all of the reviews (pp. 127-137) and the commentaries by Tyler (pp. 149-158) and Kauffmann (pp 173-177).

  2. We'll start with a discussion of the lecture. What points did Mr. Dintenfass make? How did he support them?

  3. Look at this shot list to see what it might tell us.

  4. Among other questions which might arise:
    • Why is it raining though most of the frame? How does that affect your reaction to the film?
    • Why does the film begin (and end) with the Rashomon gate?
    • What is the relationship between the gate and the grove?
    • What is it that the woodcutter and priest "can't understand"?
    • Why is it so hard to understand?
    • Why are the stories told in the order they're in? What would be the effect if they were told in a different order?

Monday, October 11:

  1. Paper due at classtime.

  2. Read the piece from Kurosawa's autobiography (pp. 113-122), Bock's summary of Kurosawa's life (pp 23-28), and reread the Akutagawa stories.

  3. Our discussion will focus on the relationship between the stories and the film
    • In what ways are they the same?
    • What elements in the stories are not present (or are substantially altered) in the film?
    • What elements in the film are pure Kurosawa and not present in the stories at all?
    • What points was Kurosawa trying to make in this film?
    • What commentary does this film make on the nature of truth?
    • Does the film have anything to say about the nature (or existence) of such a thing as objective truth?
    • What role does the individual play in determining the "truth"?
    • Bring your own questions and be prepared to discuss them.
revised: 1-Oct-1999