Oh how I love this company!
Ever since I can remember, I’ve been a huge fan of Akira Kurosawa, and thought he deserved a lot more attention in the West for his non-samurai films.
For those who don’t know, Dodesukaden follows several impoverished characters through a dump in Tokyo. In my opinion, it is one of his most heartfelt pieces. At the time it was made, however, it was a such a failure among critics and audiences that it immediately dissolved his newly created movie studio and depressed him greatly.
This was his first color film, and hardly anyone I know is aware of its existence. I remember watching an old VHS copy in high school and being mesmerized by its story. It’s sad that took this long to get it on DVD format, but now that it is, I am ecstatic that Criterion has picked it up. There really is no rival in the treatment of classics.
Anyway I could go on and on about this film and this director. I’ve read his autobiography twice and have found it inspirational.
I would also like to know of any hidden gems you all know about, particularly by well-known directors in a form unknown to the mainstream. Which ones are you dying to see get the DVD treatment?