Something Like an Autobiography

Akira Kurosawa

Recommended By

Book Reviews

One of 10 biographies Jason Calacanis recommends reading.

Book Synopsis

"Something Like an Autobiography" by Akira Kurosawa is a compelling memoir that delves into the iconic filmmaker's life and creative journey. Kurosawa takes readers on a captivating expedition through his childhood, his turbulent youth, and his rise to becoming one of Japan's most celebrated directors.

In the book, Kurosawa reflects on his early struggles as an aspiring painter and his eventual transition to the world of cinema. With candidness and introspection, he shares the personal experiences and encounters that shaped his artistic vision and approach to storytelling. Drawing inspiration from both Western and Japanese influences, Kurosawa presents a unique perspective on the world of filmmaking.

Throughout the pages, Kurosawa shares anecdotes about the making of his most renowned films, such as "Rashomon," "Seven Samurai," and "Yojimbo." He discusses his collaborations with actors and renowned cinematographers, while providing valuable insights into his creative process and the challenges he faced along the way.

Beyond his cinematic journey, Kurosawa delves into Japan's cultural and historical context, offering a nuanced exploration of the nation's identity and the role of cinema within it. Through his narrative, Kurosawa highlights the importance of storytelling as a means of understanding and bridging cultural divides.

"Something Like an Autobiography" is not only a memoir of a master filmmaker but also a testament to the power of perseverance, passion, and the transformative nature of art. Kurosawa's honest and captivating storytelling offers readers a profound glimpse into his world, one that continues to inspire filmmakers and cinephiles alike.

Explore More Books

See All
Creativity and the Brain
Hard Landing
Four Quartets
Where Good Ideas Come From
Intellectuals and Race
Hard Drive
The Belly Art Project
Mandela's Way
The Discovery of France
Proof of Corruption
Barbarian Days
Benjamin Franklin
Pebbles of Perception
The Infinite Game
Prosperity
Gold In The Grass
The Moth Presents All These Wonders
The Closing of the American Mind
Infinite Powers
The Diamond Age
Competitive Strategy
Think Twice
Loonshots
The Future Is Asian
Opportunity Knocks
The Second Machine Age
The Wright Brothers
From Third World to First
Why Does College Cost So Much?
Simple Rules
The Cultural Cold War
The Uninhabitable Earth
Healthy Buildings
The Grid
Six Easy Pieces
DMT: The Spirit Molecule
How to Teach Your Baby Math
The Song Machine
The Inmates Are Running the Asylum
Principles for Dealing With The Changing World Order
Amazon Unbound
Letters To A Young Athlete
Imaginable
Lucky Me
The Salmon of Doubt
How To Be a No Limit Person
Scientific Advertising
Empire of the Summer Moon
Being With Dying
Olives
Walt Disney
Fortitude
More From Less
Thermoinfocomplexity
7 Powers
The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross
The Neverending Story
Deep Work
The Black Book of Communism
Shortcut
Defender In Chief
Social Cognition
Think Like a Rocket Scientist
Rebooting AI
Managing Oneself
Dreamstate
Seeker
The Moment of Lift
The Man Who Solved The Market
Quantum Computing Since Democritus
The Printing Revolution in Early Modern Europe
The Little Book of Bull Moves
Fast-Track Triathlete
Virus of the Mind
The Cost Disease
Heretics of Dune
The Fourth Turning is Here
The Paper Menagerie And Other Stories
Mortal Republic
Syntax & Sage
Hopping Over The Rabbit Hole
Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage
The History of Money
Technically Food
The Mathematics of Politics
Dog Man
Free The Animal
However Long the Night
Holistic Management
This Explains Everything
The Essential Scratch & Sniff Guide to Becoming a Whiskey Know-It-All
Switch
An Immense World
Learning To Love Yourself
The Wayfinders
How to Change Your Mind
Programming Bitcoin
Revolution from Within
The Energy World Is Flat
The Money Game