TEHRAN- The Cinematheque of the Iranian Artists Forum (IAF) will screen Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa’s 1985 epic historical film “Ran” on Monday. 

The screening will be followed by a review session by Iranian critic Mehdi Khorramdel.

“Ran” is widely regarded as one of Akira Kurosawa’s most ambitious and visually stunning works. Drawing inspiration from William Shakespeare’s tragedy “King Lear” and incorporating legends of the Sengoku period daimyo Mori Motonari, “Ran” stands as a monumental achievement in world cinema, blending cultural storytelling with universal themes of chaos, loyalty, and downfall.

The film’s narrative centers on Hidetora Ichimonji, portrayed by Tatsuya Nakadai, an aging warlord who seeks to relinquish his power and divide his kingdom among his three sons: Taro, Jiro, and Saburo. Hidetora’s decision to abdicate is motivated by a desire to retire from the brutal and relentless violence of the Sengoku era, but it sets off a chain of events marked by betrayal, greed, and tragedy. The story explores the destructive consequences of familial conflict and the chaos that ensues when authority and loyalty are compromised.

Taro, the eldest, receives the First Castle and is expected to lead the clan, while Jiro and Saburo are allocated the Second and Third Castles. Taro’s wife, Lady Kaede, harbors a bitter grudge against Hidetora for past wrongs and manipulates her husband to seize control of the entire clan. Meanwhile, Saburo, the most honest and outspoken son, criticizes his father’s decisions and is exiled for his dissent. The family’s internal strife mirrors the chaos of the wider civil war engulfing Japan during the Sengoku period.

As the story progresses, Hidetora’s pride and trust are shattered. His sons betray and abandon him, leading to a series of brutal battles and personal tragedies. Hidetora is eventually driven into madness, wandering aimlessly through war-torn landscapes, haunted by visions of his past sins. Kurosawa vividly captures these scenes with striking imagery and dynamic use of color, emphasizing the chaos and decay that overtakes the characters’ lives. The film culminates in a tragic series of deaths and the disintegration of the Ichimonji family.

“Ran” marked Kurosawa’s third engagement with Shakespearean themes, following "Throne of Blood" (1957), based on "Macbeth," and "The Bad Sleep Well" (1960), inspired by "Hamlet." These adaptations reflect Kurosawa’s ongoing fascination with Shakespeare’s exploration of power, madness, and tragedy, themes that resonate deeply within the movie’s narrative fabric. Critics widely acclaim Kurosawa’s ability to adapt these universal themes into a distinctly Japanese historical context, blending Western literary influence with Japanese culture.

Although “Ran” was not submitted for the Academy Awards as Japan’s official entry, Kurosawa’s reputation helped garner international recognition. The film received multiple nominations and awards, including four Academy Award nominations—winning for Best Costume Design—and numerous accolades from critics and film institutions worldwide. 

SAB/