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
In-N-Out Burger
East of Eden
Taken for Granted
Naked Statistics
The Story of Civilization: Our Oriental Heritage
Radical Candor
The Warburgs
The Blank Slate
When Genius Failed
That's What She Said
The Hobbit
Little Brother
We Were Soldiers Once... And Young
Eating Animals
Vitamania
The World According to Garp
Profile of a Nation
Read Write Own
Where Is My Flying Car?
The Slow Midnight on Cypress Avenue
The Quiet American
In Praise of Shadows
Excession
The Global Macro Edge
Losing The Signal
Outliers
The Martians of Science
Titan
Changing Minds
Writing Down The Bones
The Subtle Knife
Kelly
The Design of Everyday Things
When To Jump
The Master Plan
The Girl With The Lower Back Tattoo
Interventions
The Activist's Media Handbook
Only the Paranoid Survive
Paper Lion
The Victorian Internet
The Starfish and the Spider
The Survivor
Beat the Wealth Management Hustle
The (Honest) Truth About Dishonesty
Fall; or, Dodge in Hell
Pattern Recognition
Reboot
Drunk Tank Pink
The Success Equation
The Smartest Investment Book You'll Ever Read
Moab Is My Washpot
Trader Vic
The Jordan Rules
The Postman Always Rings Twice
When Reason Goes on Holiday
The Lion Tracker's Guide to Life
Getting Better
Simon the Sea Cat
Rick and Morty Book Three
Sex, Murder, and the Meaning of Life
Right Thing, Right Now
The Outermost House
The Power Law
High Fidelity
What If?
How The Scots Invented The Modern World
The Lessons of History
Bitcoin and Black America
So Good They Can't Ignore You
My Stroke of Insight
Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World
Swallows and Amazons
The Yellow Pad
The Richest Man in Babylon
The Chile Project
Troubled
The Law
When Breath Becomes Air
The Autobiography of Charles Darwin
Collected Fictions
Civilisation
Women
In Search of Lost Time
Steve Jobs & The NeXT Big Thing
The Little Book of Common Sense Investing
The Book of Nothing
Who Moved My Cheese?
Modern Times
Batman
How Innovation Works
The Sixth Man
Trade-Off
March
Getting Past No
Spiritually Incorrect Enlightenment
McMafia
The Elements of Statistical Learning
Tlon, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius
The Fear Factor