Martin Scorsese to direct a Akira Kurosawa to Produce a Documentary Film? Director Mitsuhiko Kawamura and Anaheim University Akira Kurosawa School of Film Japan-U.S. co-production project

tokyowebtv Inc. (Location: Tokorozawa-shi, Saitama, Representative: Mitsuhiko Kawamura) has started crowdfunding for the production of the English version of "Life work of Akira Kurosawa," which will be released in theaters in 2023, on September 6, the anniversary of Akira Kurosawa's death, at 11 a.m. The film will be released in theaters in 2023.

URL: https://camp-fire.jp/projects/779266/view

Crowdfunding

Project Summary

This is a project to consult with directors Martin Scorsese and Oliver Stone to produce a new English version of the film "Life work of Akira Kurosawa," which was released in theaters in 2023, for screening in the US and Europe, using Hollywood directors.

It will be produced jointly by the Akira Kurosawa school of film at Anaheim University and tokyowebtv Inc. (President: Mitsuhiko Kawamura).

■Film director Kawamura's comments

I witnessed the filming of Akira Kurosawa's movie "Ran" between 1984 and 1985, and was authorized to shoot the documentary, "Life work of Akira Kurosawa" in 2022, based on some 70 hours of the 150 hours of video footage, My name is Kawamura, and I am a film director.

I was 23 years old at the time of the documentary, and I am now 63 years old.

I was diagnosed with stomach cancer and malignant lymphoma in February 2020.

Once I recovered, the malignant lymphoma recurred in 2023 with cancer of the small intestine. I am still undergoing anticancer treatment in the form of hospital visits.

Director Kawamura undergoing anti-cancer drug treatment

As a person who was influenced and inspired by Akira Kurosawa more than anyone else in my life, I have decided to use the time I have left to preserve his way of life, his way of dealing with movies, and his way of dealing with people for future generations.

Of the 150 hours of onsite recordings, 70 hours of data were restored in 2006 using the latest technology available at the time, and 30 hours of tapes were later discovered and left untouched, for a total of 100 hours of data in HD quality.

Based on the 100 hours of data, I will remake my documentary film "Life work of Akira Kurosawa" in collaboration with Anaheim University, using a Hollywood film director.

We would like to produce and release an English version of the film, and beyond that, we would like to introduce the life of "Akira Kurosawa the man" to the world and pass on his great achievements to future generations.

We would be grateful for your support.

https://camp-fire.jp/projects/779266/view

Director Kawamura with Vice President of Anaheim University

■Background of the Project

I would like to explain about my documentary film "Life work of Akira Kurosawa" based on the footage recorded on the set of Akira Kurosawa's film "Ran".

Of the 150 hours of footage shot on the set of "Ran", 70 hours of recorded tapes were revived in 2006 using the latest technology of the time, and made into a film in 2022.

Akira Kurosawa, who was regarded as a "scary director" due to the media's manipulation of impressions, is not seen in this film.

Akira Kurosawa gives acting lessons to his students as if he were a teacher giving instructions to his students, and his sincere attitude toward films has been highly evaluated both domestically and internationally, and was recommended by the "Film Recommendation Committee for the Next Generation" of Eirin.

Recommended by Eirin's "Film Recommendation Committee for the Next Generation

As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, I am currently fighting a battle with cancer. Due to the side effects of anti-cancer drug treatment, my hair has fallen out.

What inspired me to come up with the project despite my condition was a dream I had one day.

One of the driving forces behind this project was when Director Kurosawa scolded me for not conveying the value of this documentary.

For some people, it may sound ridiculous to be moved by something they saw in a dream.

But it was reason enough for me to get moving.

I want to leave to posterity the thoughts of Akira Kurosawa, who gave me a guideline for my own life, and who also made me very mad.

I want to convey the spirit of Kurosawa, who said that he continued to make films in order to depict the theme of "Why can't human beings live together amicably and conscientiously?

And I believe that I can do this only because I have continued to film Akira Kurosawa's "attitude," something that Akira Kurosawa, who preferred to tell his story only through his works, could not do.

The goal of this project is to convey the true image of Akira Kurosawa to people around the world.

We are sincerely looking forward to your participation from those who can sympathize with and support this project.

Your support will help us complete this valuable documentary film and inspire and enlighten many people.

We would appreciate your support for this project, which you can easily participate in for as little as 2,000 yen to 12,000 yen.

About Returns (All prices include tax)

3,000 yen [1 DVD containing previously unreleased footage with commercial screening rights

You will receive one DVD with commercial screening rights that includes 2 trailers (2 minutes and 1 minute) + 40 minutes of secret production story + 10 minutes of previously unreleased footage x 2. Scheduled delivery November 2024

5,000 yen [Japanese version of the film + 1 DVD containing previously unreleased footage

Life work of Akira KurosawaYou will receive one DVD containing the Japanese language version of Akira Kurosawa's life work and previously unreleased footage. Scheduled for November 2024

8,000 yen [Japanese and English versions of the film + 1 Blu-ray disc containing previously unreleased footage

Life work of Akira KurosawaYou will receive a Japanese and English version of Akira Kurosawa's life work, plus one Blu-ray disc containing never-before-seen footage. Scheduled delivery in November 2024.

10,000 yen [Japanese and English versions of the film + 1 previously unreleased Blu-ray disc + 1 original T-shirt "A

Scheduled delivery in December 2024

10,000 yen [Ticket to attend the preview screening in Koenji on February 8 (Sat) (up to 1 accompanying person) (includes 1 DVD in Japanese)

Invitation to the screening to be held at Koenji Theater Bacchus.

Date and time: February 8, 2025, 15:00-17:45

First 16 applicants Scheduled delivery in Feb. 2025

10,000 yen [Ticket to attend the screening on February 9 (Sun.) in Koenji (up to 1 accompanying person) (includes 1 DVD in Japanese)

Invitation to the screening to be held at Koenji Theater Bacchus.

Date and time: February 9, 2025, 15:00-17:45

First 16 people to arrive: Scheduled delivery in Feb. 2025

12,000 yen [Japanese and English versions of the film + 1 previously unreleased Blu-ray + 1 original T-shirt "B

Scheduled delivery in December 2024

Special T-shirt B

In addition to the above, there are 50,000 yen, 100,000 yen, and 200,000 yen courses that return one Blu-ray with commercial screening rights, and a 1,000,000 yen course that returns SSD with commercial screening rights.

Company Profile

Company name: tokyowebtv Inc.

Representative ： Mitsuhiko Kawamura

Location ： 102 Yellow Cone, 23-6 Matsuba-cho, Tokorozawa-shi, Saitama

Establishment ： January 11, 2018

Business : Film production and distribution

URL ： https://tokyowebtv.jp/