English assignment- Rashomon film review

English assignment- Rashomon film review

  1. Give a brief outline of the plot (action) of the film

 

The creator of the film Rashomon, Akira Kurosawa- created an astonishing depiction of two traumatizing experiences, the rape of the wife of a samurai, and the murder of so said samurai. The film is also complex due to the four main characters that are presented, the woodcutter, the dead man, rapistm, and of course the wife. Each character has scenes that represent their perspective on the scenario. Each perspective differs.

 

  1. What are the main symbols in the film, what do they represent?

A main symbol in the film would be the Gate of Rashomon. The Gate of Rashomon is a symbol of the fall of morals, and proper authority. 

Nature in the film also represents the falling of the Rashomon 

 

  1. What are the main philosophical questions (ideas) being raised

by the film? How are these themes still relevant today?

A philosophical question would be the question of how far people would be willing to go to satisfy their selfish needs. 

This can relate to present day, and society in general because many people in power are rude, and morally wrong.

  1. How is the structure of the film important to the telling of this

Story?

The structure, like recently stated in the answer of the first question, is a multi-dimensional understanding of two tragedies. The structure is multi-dimensional due to the fact that it is focused on four different perspectives.

 

  1. Who’s story did you find most trustworthy and why?

The samurai told his own perspective of the fact that he committed suicide, so I believe that more than the other perspectives.

 

  1. Consider the final scene when the Priest chooses to hand the

baby over to the Woodsman. What is Kurosawa trying to say with

this gesture?

Kurosawa’s purpose of including this gesture is to show that he believes the Woodsman is the most trustworthy 

  1. Rashomon is an adaptation of a short story written by

Akutagawa, consider what elements are present in the film that

enhance or diminish a story like this. Are there aspects to the story

that might be better served on the page, why?

 

I think the visual symbolism really helps enhance the structure of the story, the story is easier to understand with the visuals from all perspectives as well because it is easier to understand what is going on compared to just reading a short story.