Name: AQUINO CYRON JOHN T

Section: CEAT-29-202E
AN ANALYSIS ON AKIRA KUROSAWA’S “DREAMS”
What better way to interpret this abstract film than by looking through the
morality and symbolism that each of Kurosawa’s dreams holds.
The film is a collection of eight ethereal stories based on Akira Kurosawa’s recurring
dreams, most of which sprang up from his childhood anxieties. Some of the themes were
woven from Japanese folklore while others, if not all, were drawn from strong emotions
and states like guilt, fear, death, and destruction that made most to the nightmare
segments of the film.

He expressed, in a “magical realism” approach, his disappointments in the society he

inhabited where man’s greed and innate propensity to immorality could potentially ruin
the building blocks of civilization. The movie is a representation of his dismay and failures
in the real world that manifested themselves through his dreams.

Kurosawa’s scenarios open and close much like your eyes as you drift off to the REM stage
of your sleep. At the beginning of each dream, a sudden noise or movement rouses you as
a signal that a new world is about to be introduced.

The ghoulish characters, although cartoonish in form, act as significant symbols in the
short stories. Just like in dreams, these symbols parallel the realities and emotions
experienced in real life. Viewers must take the time to recognize the meanings of these
symbols. Only through this that we can appreciate how compelling the film is rather than
indicting it for its unorthodox style. However, “highbrow” movie critics would rather call
the movie bland than giving it credit for its uniqueness and deep meaning.

There is plenty of imagery involved that give off an unwelcoming mood, except in the last
sequence wherein viewers can appreciate the humor and light atmosphere that oppose the
earlier dark segments.

Identify the 8 dreams Akira Kurosawa and what does it represent or

symbolizes when viewed as a whole and what is the important message for
mankind?

I. The first sequence “Sunshine Through the Rain”:

First scene presented the commited disobedience of a chilld due to his curiosity in which
depicts that every action that has taken has its own consequences and you should be prepared for
it as it is the path you had taken.

II. “The Peach Orchard”

Second scene depicts how nature is being abused by mankind and disregarding the fact that it
is essential for the growth of society. Also the glimpse seen of blooming peach orchard gives
 hope to restore its glow as long as someone cares. in which nature benefits us depends on
how we treat them.

III. The third segment which is entitled “The Blizzard”

This depicts how man's goal can be achieved if he is determined enough to overcome the
challenges that might come along the way, by that we can survive it's horror to reach our goals.

IV. The fourth dream entitled “The Tunnel”.

Fourth scene depicts the hardships of war veteran in which there is sometimes inevitable
tough choices that may come that will trigger you moral dillemma in order to survive.

V. “Crows”

Fifth scene depicts that art is everywhere and we should appreciate every piece of it.

VI. “Mount Fuji in Red” and

VII. “The Weeping Demons”

Sixth and seventh scene were conveying similar messages and I identified its message that
shows the devastating effects of nuclear war to humanity where in man's greed can really
destroy humanity as he disregard the people surrounding him. And the only demon we can
think of is ourselves.

VIII. The last dream is the “Village of the Watermills”

Eight scene shows how the technology consume mankind and its time as he explains himself as a
locomotive. Also shows colorful side of the world wherein he pictures nature's beauty as appreciated in
which the man loses himself to it the more stares to it closely.

IX.