Ikiru

film by Kurosawa [1952]

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June 29, 2026

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Ikiru is a 1952 Japanese film directed by Akira Kurosawa. The film tells the story of Kanji Watanabe, a bureaucratic official who discovers he has terminal cancer. Faced with his own mortality, Watanabe embarks on a quest to find meaning in his life, ultimately dedicating his remaining time to a project that will benefit the public. The film is renowned for its realistic portrayal of post-war Japanese society and its profound exploration of life, death, and the search for purpose. It is considered one of Kurosawa's finest works and a significant achievement in cinema history.1

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Kurosawa Akira
Films of the 1950s
Ikiru (“To Live”) is regarded by many critics as one of the finest works in the history of the cinema. It concerns a petty governmental official who learns he has only half a year until he will die from cancer. He searches for solace in…
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Ikiru (“To Live”) is regarded by many critics as one of the finest works in the history of the cinema. It concerns a petty governmental official who learns he has only half a year until he will die from cancer. He searches for solace in…
Read More