Cinema's Take on The Human Condition

I just came back from experiencing Kurosawa's meditative masterpiece, Ikiru (1952). There was something that I was completely drawn to while watching the film, but it wasn't just the mise en scene or cinematography. It's this man below. Mr. Watanabe.

In all of cinema history, the most memorable themes used in auteurism is the subject revolving around existentialism and human struggle. Synecdoche, New York (2008) and other works from Kaufman are recent examples. Other filmmakers that have tapped into this are among the names of Bergman, Ozu, Malick, Andersson, et al. But the fascination I have with Ikiru is that it's initially portrayed as a man despaired by everything around him, but instead takes a brief journey into a new world.

Kurosawa's patience with grief and loneliness gives us, the audience, a chance to glimpse into the mindset of a dying old man with much regret. Takashi Shimura's desolate expressions signified something greater at hand. There are instances in movies where we can have a character explain to another character their regrets, occupied with a loud score and a intrusive line of dialogue to wrap it up nicely. With Ikiru, Mr. Watanabe stays silent in many scenes where people he meets are attempting to grant his wish of feeling alive. His dreary eyes and soft tears perfectly captures humanity at their lowest emotional level.

When dealing with these issues, Kurosawa exemplifies a time in a human's life when it doesn't necessarily feel dark, but when you know things can never be undone. Towards the end of the film, men who mourn for this man are deeply regretful and attempt to change for Mr. Watanabe. Without spoiling too much, the film ends the way it starts, with people not fulfilling promises and bureaucrats returning to the work force.

Films that allow audiences to ponder and reflect on their own lives have always been my personal favorite. The films that don't necessarily make you depressed, but have you ask yourself the important questions. What habits am I willing to change? Can I fulfill what I set myself out to do? Am I hurting others besides myself? Cinema is a language that can translate these perfectly into the human mind. I understand that not every person likes these heavy-handed movies, but I believe they're an influence in art and the human condition.