Film Fetish: "Dersu Uzala"

Dersu Uzala (1975)
- directed by Akira Kurosawa



Set in Siberia during the early 1900's, a Russian army explorer on a surveying expedition encounters and befriends a quirky, eccentric and incredibly resourceful elderly Nanai hunter. The hunter, Dersu Uzala, agrees to join the expedition and successfully guides them through the harsh and treacherous terrain of Siberia and ultimately forges a life-long friendship with the troop's leader, Vladimir Arsenyev...

I was pleasantly surprised by this film. I was very wary and hesitant about being able to enjoy this film for a few reasons. First, it was only the second color film that was helmed by Kurosawa and the first I had seen. Secondly, I was totally unfamiliar with the cast, which consisted mainly of Russian actors, which was another first for Kurosawa. And lastly, the film had nothing at all to do with Japan. No Japanese actors, settings, issues, etc. I felt that Kurosawa was treading dangerous and unfamiliar territory.

But as I've said, I was pleasantly surprised. More than that, I was just plain wrong. The film itself was as gorgeous an any of Kurosawa's previous films. It was shot beautifully and the color only enhanced the experience and lushness of the Siberian and Russian landscape. The cast was amazing, especially the two leads. I was absolutely enthralled. I feel foolish for worrying about Kurosawa's ability to deal with a people and a place outside of his usual scope. No matter how you cut it, he's an accomplised director and this project only helps to prove that point.

As far as the story is concerned, I was more than satisfied. At once it was both uplifting and melancholy. It perfectly portrayed the collision of two worlds: the old and the new; a meditation on the rural and the industrial. I don't want to give much away but there's a lot to take away in that respect. This was a lovely film.

7.5/10 What more is there to say than it's a great Kurosawa film? :P Definitely outside his typical fare, but a great film nonetheless with a powerful message and equally powerful visuals.

DS333, surprised.