Please discuss in three paragraphs (perhaps discussing three scenes) how the following statement is represented through the film's mise-en-scene.
"That purpose was to make a samurai movie that was anchored in ancient Japanese culture and yet argued for a flexible humanism in place of rigid traditions. One of the central truths of "Seven Samurai" is that the samurai and the villagers who hire them are of different castes and must never mix. Indeed, we learn that these villagers had earlier been hostile to samurai--and one of them, even now, hysterically fears that a samurai will make off with his daughter. Yet the bandits represent a greater threat, and so the samurai are hired, valued and resented in about equal measure."
In his film "Seven Samurai", Akira Kurosawa utilizes mise-en-scene to perpetuate cultural generalities while weaving a narrative which rejects this. Specifically, mise-en-scene is used to characterize the bandits, the villagers and the samurai.
ReplyDeleteThe bandits’ costumes are eclectic, which subtly remind the viewer that much of the garments obtained are probably stolen from many villages. Many bandits also wear armor over their clothes presenting an aggressive, and literally hardened exterior. The viewers establishing shot of the bandits shows medium shots of one or two bandits on horses. The horses and the advanced weaponry that the bandits carry are vital props which intensify “Seven Samurai”’s mise-en-scene. In the beginning of the film the viewer sense that the horses seem to represent an unfair advantage when the bandits trample through the village since it gives them the ability to advance and retreat with ease. However, during the actual battle the horses appear to be more of a hindrance to the bandits because the villagers trap the horses and then can easily kill their rider.
The viewer’s establishing view of the villagers is the entire population of the village sitting on the ground of a valley. The composition of the shots shows massive mountains surrounding the villagers and their huddled frames in the center of the screen denotes a vulnerable, exposed target. Unlike the bandits, the villagers in the shots’ composition are shown together which seems to highlight their strength in numbers but at the same time emphasizes their weakness in terms of individuals. The villager’s costumes are ragged, dirty, and hang off their emaciated frames, reminding the viewer of their impoverished lifestyle which is dependent on a harvest uninterrupted by the bandits. It’s important to note that the props used by the villagers when fighting the bandits are pointed spears as opposed to the samurais’ finely crafted swords or the bandits’ more advanced weaponry. This further emphasizes that the mise-en-scene implicitly suggests the villagers’ low status throughout the film.
Through mise-en-scene, the samurai are portrayed in the most respectful and powerful civilians. In many instances the samurai are shown in a shot where they are the only moving object or where they are in the foreground of the shot. This implicitly emphasizes the samurais’ value compared to the farmers and the bandits. The samurais’ costumes are also much finer and in better condition than the farmers’ and the bandits’ since they most likely are of a higher class and earn a better salary than the other two social classes. The most important prop that the samurai carry is obviously their sword which indicates skill with sword fighting and experience in battle.
(As a disclaimer, I would like to point out that while I believe Akira Kurosawa perpetuated the typical social stratification cinematically, part of the beauty of “Seven Samurai” is the way that the plot (in the words of Roger Ebert) “was anchored in ancient Japanese culture and yet argued for a flexible humanism in place of rigid traditions”. Thus, “Seven Samurai” is really a paradox in itself which tricks the viewer into stereotyping say, the peasants, due to its mise-en-scene but then tramples these stereotypes with its dynamic plot.)
Akira Kurosawa uses various elements of mise-en-scene in “Seven Samurai” to highlight class differences amongst the characters. Aside from separation, however, it is also used to represent the general commonalities of all people and plays a greater implicit role throughout the narrative.
ReplyDeleteThe opening scene of “Seven Samurai” involves the villagers who are trying to think of a better way to defend themselves against the bandits. They are shown wearing worn-out, dirty rags to illuminate how poor and desolate their village really is. As Alison mentioned, the surrounding mountains frame the village to look extremely isolated from other peoples and unsafe. This further emphasizes their seclusion and weakness as a group, showing that even though there may be a lot of them, they are essentially powerless. Kurosawa implements natural lighting during this particular scene (which is shot at dusk), to make the villagers look even dirtier and to highlight the poverty that surrounds them. Kurosawa uses all of these devices to really accentuate their status in society and to display how low they are compared to the bandits and samurai.
To juxtapose the villagers, the bandits are dressed in skins and armor to show that they are dangerous opponents. Also, in comparison, their outfits are clean and put together rather than raggedy and dirty. Riding in on horses, the diegetic sounds of the scene creates suspense and immediately reveals the bandit’s higher societal ranking. Kurosawa’s editing and camera movement is noted to evoke strong emotional responses from the viewers. This is present during all action scenes, mostly at the end, but even in this opening scene of the bandits. From the comparison between villagers and bandits, the audience can choose a side right away and become readily emotionally attached to the film.
Aesthetically, the samurai's are dressed in nice clothing and cloaks, which not only compares their value with the villagers but also places them higher than the bandits. Their props are much more advanced, such as weaponry, which shows their skill and illuminates the clear power they hold. Right away, through the dialogue, the audience is shown that the samurai’s are the most respected and powerful figures all throughout the land. Often, they camera is pointed up towards them, in low angle shots, to emphasize their status and worth. Through the mise-en-scene, it is clear that they are praised and respected much more than any villager or bandit.
Throughout Seven Samurai, Akira Kurosawa uses costumes, props, and lighting to give the viewer a sense of the class differences that existed at this time in Japan.
ReplyDeleteThe farmers in Seven Samurai are portrayed as a low and inherently weak class. Although this is demonstrated throughout the film, it is made even more apparent by the mise-en-scene in the opening of part two. The farmers, men and women alike, are seen low to the ground picking barley. This implies their low and inferior status which is reaffirmed by the fact that the barley takes up the majority of the frame, with the farmers only entering the edges. The farmers are seemingly insignificant in the grand scheme of things, as they are the poorest class, something that the audience ins reminded of through the farmers dark and drab clothing. The farmers are also seen sweating and dirty, highlighting how hard they must work for the little that they have. We then see daughters of farmers running with bails of barley on their back. This implies that the success of the barley crop will make or break them (excuse the clishe, but it is reminiscent of the straw breaking the camel’s back).
The Samurai, on the other hand, are in a different higher class, a fact that is made apparent through the scene in which they are being recruited by the farmers. In this scene the farmers are filmed from a high angle while their superior counterparts are filmed from below. This gives the audience the immediate impression that the samurai are in a higher social position. This is reaffirmed as the scene plays out. The Samurai are in nicer costume than the farmers, and each are carrying a large sword, indicating their power. The farmers just helplessly watch the samurai walk by, until the culmination in which one of the farmers asks a samurai for help. The samurai calls him a fool and throws him to the ground. The farmer, whose head is crowned with a bald spot (less wealth), is then forced to bow down to the Samurai, who is wearing a hat and standing with his sword raised tall, almost taking up the entire frame. The pair are filmed in a wide shot, leaving the farmer looking small and pathetic. It is thus clear that their power is in no way balanced.
Despite the class differences between the aforementioned groups, the threat of the bandits is worse. We are first introduced to the bandits in the films opening scene. From this moment it is clear that the bandits are malicious and willing to cause harm. The first shot is strikingly composed, with lighting providing insights into the bandits’ dark characters. The bottom half of the screen is completely dark, almost black, and the sky is a dark gray. There is one line of light in the middle of the screen on which the bandits are silhouetted, causing them to appear completely black. This gives a very ominous and foreboding look, appropriate for the destruction that the bandits intend to cause. The bandits are also on horses, which at the time in which the film is set, implied some wealth. When we finally see the bandits in a medium shot this idea of wealth is reaffirmed. The bandits are clothed in armor with horn-clad helmets (wealth and power). They also have more hair, on their heads and face, than the other two groups implying their more animalistic nature. One of the bandits also has an eye-patch, indicating that violence has and will ensue. As such, the farmers’ decision to hire samurai appears well founded.
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ReplyDeleteIn the film, Seven Samurai", the director Akira Kurosawa uses mise- en- scene to create a divide between the classes of Samurai and Farmer. But mise- en- scene is used more to characterize the bandits, samurai, and farmers, while the narrative combats some of these class differences.
ReplyDeleteAs stated in the quote provided, "the samurai and the villagers who hire them are of different castes and must never mix." This creates a clear line that divides the two groups from one another. This can be shown through their clothing and costumes. Take the scene where the farmers are following the 3 samurai so that they could ask for their assistance. The famers clothes were raggedy, dirty, and destroyed, mostly darker colors. The samurai were dressed in robes, often white, to show their purity and highness to others. Another thing that shows their separation in this scene is the distance at which they walk. The samurai are shown far ahead of the farmers, symbolizing their highness as well.
But as the narrative continues, we see that divide begin to dwindle. This is shown the scene where Kikuchiyo brings fallen samurai's armor to the rest of the group. In this scene, he is overly dressed in this attire. The samurai begin the argue with him on the fact that that armor belonged to fallen samurai, but Kikuchiyo defends the farmers. He is often shown from an close up/ head shot to convey the emotions that he is feeling. At this point, the other samurai establish that he was born a farmer, not a samurai, destroying the line between the two classes.
Towards the end of the film, the line begins tow dwindle more and more. But the one line that doesn't fade is the line between valuing them and resenting them. In this case, one begins to trump the other. In the final scene of the film, we are constantly shown the hill where all the fallen are buried. In this scene, the sun is out and the farmers are joyous. They are singing, which shows their joy. On top of the hill, which is shown from a low angle and symbolizes respect for the fallen, the four samurai that were killed were buried at the very top, and also had the largest graves. This symbolizes that the samurais were extremely valued in that village because they saved the farmers from the bandits.
In Seven Samurai Kurosawa uses mise- en- scene to portray the cultural and socio relevance of the film. Kurosawa wanted to really incorporate the Japanese cultural background in a movie about samurai’s. While making it interesting and intriguing he also wanted it to be factual and probable. Through set, costume and the characters he is able to propel the plot forward the way he wanted to.
ReplyDeleteThe set of Seven Samurai really sets the mood of the movie and allows the viewer to feel as if they were right there in Japan in the 1580’s. From the huts in the village to the field where the villagers grow their grain the set is perfectly designed. During the preparation for the battle with the bandits, the village surrounds themselves with a self-made fence mad of straw and branches. The gate is relevant because they built it with the help of the Samurai and they trust them enough to allow themselves to be locked in the village along with samurai. The size and set up of the village is a perfect example of the use of mise- en- scene because although the villagers and Samurai are from two separate castes they are able to intertwine and cohabitate in the village together with out any disputes.
The mise- en- scene of the character’s and characterization in the scene where the village girl and the young samurai are caught together really help to portray the seriousness of the situation. It is confusing at first because the viewers understand that the two are in love and neither of them know if they are going to come out of this last battle alive. The viewers see it as a very romantic moment when the two of them come together and that is what Kurosawa wants, but he also wants them to understand that this is not a normal relationship. It reminds me a little of Romeo and Juliet because they see each other secretly and they both in love with each other, but it’s impossible for them to be together. Kurosawa uses a dark fire- lit background for the scene where the girl’s father beats her and the samurai try to stop him. The entire village stands there surrounding them and watching as the girl lies on the ground. The background portrays her father’s anger and disgust for the situation. This scene is also a perfect example of the way the villagers feel about the Samurai. Even though they have partnered with them to battle with the bandits they still don’t want their daughters mixing with them. The relationship established with the samurai is strictly business. This is a very important fact and I think Kurosawa also attempts to portray that fact through the setup of this scene.
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ReplyDeleteIn Seven Samurai Kurosawa uses mise- en- scene to portray the divide and differences between the samarai and the farmers. Kurosawa uses different camera angles, costumes and setting to show this divide. In addition to showing this divide in the groups, he also wanted to vividly show the Japanese culture the way he wanted to while also making a film that would be entertaining and interesting to its viewers.
In the opening scene when the samarai come to the farmers little village on their horses is the very first time the the viewer is exposed to the divide of the two groups. In one of the shots during this scene, the camera is at a high angle from the point of view of the samarai looking down on the farmers village. This angle shows how the samarai have power over the farmers and they look down upon the farmers.
A later scene in the movie when the samarai approach the village on their horses they try to cross the moat that the farmers made around their village. In terms of wardrobe in this scene you see that the villagers are wearing rags and dirty and worn out clothing, but the samarai have on armor and have horses, which the farmers do not have. You see that the samarai would probably have the advantage, but the farmers are smarter than the samarai and come up with plans to attack which makes them more successful than the samarai. Also the weapons that were used during battle served as a divide. The samarai had more "advanced" weapons then the farmers. The samerai had swords and muskets, but the farmers mainly had to rely on the bow and arrow and any thing else that they could find.
The setting in this film i thought was outstanding! it was a major part of the film because it really put the viewer more intrigued to the film. The huts and the mountains were very natural settings and gave a vivd appearance of the Japanese life style which u think was a major point that Karusawa wanted to portray. ANother way that setting was important was how the farmers huts were secluded from society which was another clue of division between them and the samarai.
I really enjoyed this film because it portrayed a serious topic but it also had comedic relief that was good because otherwise no one would want to sit through this long movie and just watching to groups of people in battle. The mise-en-scene was a major force in this film and they were all brought together in a way that created a fantastic Japanese movie.