Ran ¹⁹⁸⁵

With Ran, Akira Kurosawa delivered one of his last and most impressive masterpieces in 1985. The film is the culmination of his lifelong fascination with history, power, human vulnerability and the destructive power of war.

Inspired by Shakespeare's King Lear and Japanese feudal history, Ran follows the elderly warlord Hidetora Ichimonji (Tatsuya Nakadai), who decides to divide his empire among his three sons. What should be a peaceful transfer quickly degenerates into betrayal, power struggles and complete chaos.

Kurosawa's painterly backdrop is present in every scene: the meticulously choreographed battles, the masterful use of color, and the overwhelming compositions make Ran a visual and emotional epic.

Nearly forty years after its release, the film remains unsurpassed in its combination of aesthetics, tragedy and philosophical depth. Ran confirms why Kurosawa is considered one of the most influential filmmakers of all time.