Blu-ray release: ‘Ikiru’
By Phil Mills | Aug 2, 2024
BFI are bringing the 1952 Japanese drama ‘Ikiru’ (生きる) to UK Blu-ray on September 16, 2024.
Co-written and directed by Akira Kurosawa, the film follows a bureaucrat who tries to find meaning in his life after discovering he has terminal cancer. The cast includes Takashi Shimura, Shinichi Himori, Haruo Tanaka, Minoru Chiaki, and Bokuzen Hidari.
Synopsis: Kanji Watanabe (Takashi Shimura) is a civil servant. He has worked in the same department for 30 years. His life is boring and monotonous, though he once used to have passion and drive. Then one day he discovers that he has stomach cancer and less than a year to live. After the initial depression, he sets about living for the first time in over 20 years. Then he realises that his limited time left is not just for living life to the fullest, but to leave something meaningful behind.
Features:
• Restored in 4K and presented in High Definition
• Introduction by Alex Cox (2003, 15 mins)
• New audio commentary by Adrian Martin
• Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create – Ikiru (2003, 42 mins)
• It’s Ours Whatever They Say (1972, 39 mins)
• The People People (1970, 22 mins)
• Illustrated booklet [First pressing only]
‘Ikiru’ is available to pre-order now from Amazon.co.uk.
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