Sep 21 2005
Movie Rashomon
The movie is now part of the culture metaphor as in “everybody speaks what one thinks is the truth”. Also hailed critically as one of Akira Kurosawa’s masterpieces.
Can we treat all four versions of story the same? Outsiders may be fooled by the bandit’s dying confession, or by the tears of a helpless woman, or by a ghost who spoke with great agony. To an Asian like me, it is unfairly clear that only the woodcutter’s version may come close to what actually transpired. The previous three all lied in the name of honor (or “face”). They were all observers with a stake in the outcome of the story. Only the woodcutter had the least to lose by telling the truth.
I cannot comprehend why so many people bought the metaphor? Or is it a superficial effort to “connect” with an exotic culture?
Not to say the movie was badly made. I enjoyed the cinematography a great deal. The circular shots on the woodcutter, accompanied by marching drumbeat, are certainly quite unique (or even original). The main scenes were shot under shades of trees, which made a great difference. The Rashomon gate setting is probably the most memorable. The story told by the woodcutter was also rendered in a dark-comedy way, which was very refreshing.