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4.2
1,640 Ratings

Dersu Uzala

Directed by Akira Kurosawa
Soviet Union, Japan, 1975
Drama, Adventure

Synopsis

A Russian army explorer in Siberia is rescued by a rugged Asiatic hunter. They share a friendship, and as the hunter grows old, the captain invites him to live in civilization…

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Dersu Uzala Directed by Akira Kurosawa

Awards & Festivals

Academy Awards

1976 | Winner: Best Foreign Language Film

CPH PIX

2012 | Winner: Best Foreign Language Film

What are people saying?

  • dionysus67's rating of the film Dersu Uzala

    Kurosawa's unmatched skill in mustering the elements of 'kairos' finds here a new reconciliation in form and content; this happens because this is a film shot in the Siberian wilderness and thus fuses the mastery of water, air, fire, soil with what the film's organic ontology preaches at odds with the sterility of civilization. The long shots are extraordinary and Munzuk is an icon of wisdom. Didactic, yet glorious.

  • Viktor Pedersen's rating of the film Dersu Uzala

    The friendship between Dersu and Arsenyev is heartwarming, but leaves a bitter aftertaste considering Asenyve´s job is to map the environment for future exploitation of natural resources. Dersu shares his indigenous knowledge, not knowing that his home in the future will be destroyed. Maxim Munzuk has a magical presence, and his characters animistic worldview is a something we still need today to stop extractivism.

  • josé neves's rating of the film Dersu Uzala

    It will be difficult to find in recent cinema an example of such lyrical pantheism, simultaneously concrete, unless we travel to the pioneering cinema of Swedish filmmakers Sjöström and Stiller and some American and Russian classic films. From a filmmaker who contributed to the modernity of Japanese cinema, it's amazing to watch this human cut in such spatiality - which was also a paradigm of the new Japanese cinema.

  • mpho3's rating of the film Dersu Uzala

    They didn't call Kurosawa The Master for nothing. Hard to believe he tried to kill himself and then bounced back and made this gem. Dersu's character stays with you, and the "Captain" turned in a fine performance as well. The cinematography, stark landscape, and deeply moving connection between kindred spirits are perfect. I love that setting sun shot in the icy tundra. My only complaint - a little too long.

  • Francisco R.'s rating of the film Dersu Uzala

    I find it difficult whether to call this film solemn or languorous -both in execution and story- , and perhaps it is both. It begins promisingly but then it never really flourishes possibly due to a shy script, though there is a certain charm to the evident staleness of it and the sheer perfection in the cinematography, which is by far my favorite aspect of the movie.

  • Graveyard Poet's rating of the film Dersu Uzala

    Kurosawa's underrated masterpiece--the hidden gem of his career. What you remember is the sublime musical score which embodies both the young explorer's memories of the old man and the vastness of the Siberian wilderness, photographed with breathtaking, powerful imagery. What you remember is Dersu, a symbol of humanity's lost connection to nature, and the smallness of humanity in the face of nature.

  • Harry Rossi's rating of the film Dersu Uzala

    The 15th Kurosawa movie I've seen so far. Pretty much all of them are some of the greatest movies of all time and this one is no exception. Fantastic film, fantastic acting with some of Kuorsawa's finest visuals ever.

  • All Is Grace's rating of the film Dersu Uzala

    This is my favorite movie of all time. I've seen a lot of movies that I loved... but this one, with its portrayal of humanity, nature, friendship between two humans and raw beauty plays with my emotions to the point of tears. Thank you, Kurosawa.

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