Akira Kurosawa’s ‘Something Like An Autobiography’

This week I had the pleasure of reading an autobiography of a revolutionary Japanese filmmaker: Akira Kurosawa’s Something Like an Autobiography. Detailing the experiences that shaped his dreams and desires, Kurosawa compiles this book in a very unique way. Kurosawa revolutionized the film industry, offering a unique perspective on lighting, chronology, and especially sound, paving the way for many of the most prolific Western filmmakers. In a similar fashion, Kurosawa turned this artistic vision towards this book, as each chapter is set up in such a way to tell a story. To be fair, Kurosawa is not a professional writer: you won’t find some sprawling passage that will inspire you to greatness. That being said, his skill at storytelling makes this autobiography a compelling read that is never dull.

While Kurosawa may not be a professional writer, the book carries on in a very conversational tone, and the author’s humor shines through at many points. So should you try this book? If you like autobiographies or Kurosawa’s films (Rashomon, Seven Samurai, and Drunken Angel, to name a few) then you owe it to yourself to read this book. If you can’t stand autobiographies, then this probably isn’t the book for you (though I don’t love autobiographies and was pleasantly surprised by this little gem). If you decide you like the style of this book, then be sure to give Kurosawa’s other works a look, as well.