If there’s one oversight in the world of cinema, it’s that Kiyoshi Kurosawa hasn’t received larger budgets for his films. This 70-year-old Japanese director has crafted impressive movies on modest budgets for over 45 years.
Kurosawa’s creativity spans genres like few others. He has offered everything from the chilling thriller Cure (1997) to the eerie horror film Pulse (2001), and even poignant dramas like Tokyo Sonata (2008) and Wife of a Spy (2020). His latest work, Cloud, has made waves in critics’ top lists for 2025, despite often working with funding that wouldn’t even cover a Hollywood film’s catering.
Kurosawa emerged during a challenging time for the Japanese film industry. As television gained popularity, classic movie studios struggled. This period saw the rise of “pink eiga,” a genre known for soft-core content that provided a different avenue for filmmakers. Kurosawa’s debut, Kandagawa Pervert Wars (1983), was a quirky yet clever take on Hitchcock’s Rear Window.
However, it was Cure that truly marked Kurosawa as a unique voice on the global stage. Even though this film earned less than $1 million to produce and started poorly in Japan, it has since been recognized internationally as a landmark film, hailed by directors like Bong Joon Ho and Ari Aster as one of the greatest ever.
In addition to directing, Kurosawa has influenced a new wave of Japanese filmmakers as a professor. Two of his notable students are Ryûsuke Hamaguchi, who won an Oscar for Drive My Car in 2022, and Koji Fukada, whose film Harmonium won accolades at Cannes. Both are competing for the Palme d’Or this year, further showcasing their talents.
Fukada admires Kurosawa, stating, “He tells powerful stories through visuals rather than dialogue. Every student wants to compete with him, but I realized I had to find my own style.”
At Cannes this year, Kurosawa’s new film, The Samurai and the Prisoner, marks a significant theme in his body of work: a samurai film. Set in 16th century Japan, it tells the story of a warlord who rebels against his cruel master. The tale spirals into a web of paranoia and betrayal. Kurosawa penned the screenplay himself, collaborating with the renowned production studio Shochiku.
Before making the film, Kurosawa revisited classic jidaigeki, or samurai films, from the 1950s and ‘60s. He found inspiration in Akira Kurosawa’s Throne of Blood and other works, which influenced how he would visually convey the drama.
Kurosawa initially thought about filming in black and white but opted for a colorful approach to capture the depth of the story. “I wanted to show drama through color, much like how black-and-white films used light and shadow,” he explained.
One of the biggest challenges was understanding how historical characters would communicate and behave. “How did they talk? What were their daily lives like?” he asked. This exploration became a thrilling challenge for both him and the cast.
Interestingly, many classic samurai movies critique bushido values, which emphasize loyalty and honor. Kurosawa himself sees his film as an “anti-samurai” tale, focusing on a protagonist who eschews violence and seeks freedom.
The film carries a relevant message in today’s tumultuous world: a character who moves from ambition to pacifism, reflecting a universal desire to escape the weight of power and violence. “This is not just about samurai,” Kurosawa noted. “It resonates with many desires we face today.”
Despite his extensive career, Kurosawa remains introspective. He questions whether contemporary Japanese cinema engages with current societal issues as it once did. He finds inspiration in recent U.S. films, noting their efforts to address real problems in society.
Kurosawa encourages his peers, including younger filmmakers at Cannes, to rekindle that spirit of authentic storytelling. “Even at my age, I want to see cinema that deeply connects with today’s world,” he concluded.
Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s work and insights remind us that cinema is not just about entertainment; it’s also a thoughtful reflection of society. His dedication to exploring complex themes invites new filmmakers to share their voices.
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Cannes 2026,international
