100 Movies Every Catholic Should See #106: Dersu Uzala (1975)
Directed by Akira Kurosawa.
Any study of film history would be remiss not to include the works of Akira Kurosawa. While known primarily for a masterful collection of Samurai films which helped establish the cinematic language for the Western and Action genres, Kurosawa’s oeuvre extends far beyond these well-known staples, offering a glimpse at a man not only well versed in his native Japanese culture but also in the films of John Ford, the plays of Shakespeare and novels of Dostoevsky. As with any master of his craft, even the more obscure films can offer something of great value, well worth studying.
Dersu Uzala certainly qualifies as one of Kurosawa’s lesser known entries, rarely ranking among the top ten of Kurosawa’s most popular films. What it lacks in acclaim, it makes up for in its beautiful simplicity and affirmation of life, so much so that of all of Kurosawa’s films, it was the only one selected for the Vatican’s list of important films.
At first glance, Dersu Uzala appears to be an anomaly against the rest of Kurosawa’s work. Most notably, the only film not to be in his native Japanese language, it was also his first film produced by a foreign company and at the time, his first serious venture into the use of color after having shot almost exclusively in black and white until then. After an incredibly fruitful period from 1954 to 1965 in which the likes of Seven Samurai, Rashomon and Yojimbo were released with great acclaim, Kurosawa ran into hard times. Funding from his longtime patron Toho studios dried up, and a series of aborted projects and setbacks sent him into a depressive spiral. With a sense of diminishing artistic abilities and an ending career, Kurosawa attempted to take his own life in 1971, an act when viewed through the lens of Japanese culture as the simple acknowledgement of the exhaustion of life’s possibilities and the conclusion of an artist’s life which had been inseparable from his art. Miraculously, Kurosawa survived.
As the first film after this low point, Dersu Uzala appears as a ray of hope, a simple ode to the goodness of life and the beginning of an artistic rebirth for Kurosawa. Funded by the Soviet Union, the film’s simple narrative and gorgeous 70mm color cinematography of the untouched Siberian wilderness feel like a breath of fresh air and an invitation to slow down, leave the corruption of society and embrace a slower, simpler way of living. Kurosawa drew inspiration from the memoir of the Russian explorer Vladimir Arsenyev, who recounts a deep friendship he formed with a Goldi hunter during a Siberian surveying expedition at the beginning of the 20th century.
Narratively, Dersu Uzala is quite simple, focusing on two of Arsenyev’s expeditions as he and his men navigate the Siberian elements with the help of Dersu Uzala. This allows the focus to remain on the unlikely friendship these men form. Nature has a way of stripping away the complications and distractions of society, allowing one to focus on living in the moment and savoring its beauty while appreciating the people the moment is shared with. Dersu and Arsenyev could not be more different, but with the trappings of civilization stripped away, they develop a deep admiration for each other.
Arsenyev learns quickly to respect Dersu’s harmony and attunement to the natural world. In one scene, the men find themselves trapped in an open field as the wintery Siberian night descends, a virtual death sentence as they were without shelter. Dersu immediately springs to action, urging them to gather as much of the long grass stalks as they can find, a herculean task in the howling winds and darkness. Dersu doggedly persists, piling up enough for them to burrow under for shelter. As the sun rises the next morning, Arsenyev acknowledges this simple act saved their lives to which Dersu simply responds “walk together, work together. No need to say thank you.” This sentiment is profound in its simplicity, and in many ways, encapsulates male friendship at its core. In nature, there is no time for formalities. In the simple act of working shoulder to shoulder, great bonds are formed.
Arsenyev’s recognition of Dersu’s simple dignity in turn earns the hunter’s respect. Many of the men on the expedition were quick to scoff at Dersu’s odd ways, but Arsenyev sought to understand Dersu as a person, often excusing himself from the fire his men were sitting around to find Dersu and learn his life’s story and absorb his wisdom about the natural world. As the film progresses, Arsenyev's care for Dersu grows, to the point where, as Dersu’s sight begins to diminish with age, Arsenyev invites him to come live with his family as he would no longer be able to survive in the wild.
As great films can do, Dersu Uzala offers a lesson on man living in community. One of the central themes is this juxtaposition of cultures embodied by Dersu and Arsenyev. It is a hopeful look at how two men of virtue from entirely different backgrounds can grow to respect one another and recognize the value that each one brings. Rather than assuming an air of prejudiced superiority, these men learn to see the good in each other and acknowledge the value of each man’s complementary strengths in achieving their common goal. The simple recognition of each man’s dignity as a fellow human being results in an edifying friendship, something that resonates across the entire human experience.
Dersu Uzala’s untarnished natural vistas provide the ideal backdrop to draw out this lesson of friendship. A return to nature, as the growth of industrialization threatened more traditional ways of life, was a common theme among Japanese directors as their nation modernized rapidly following the Second World War. Kurosawa’s beautiful color cinematography highlights his deep respect for the natural world and all that it embodies. Approached with a sense of reverence, Kurosawa does not use his shots for the sake of flashiness, often using slow pans and long cuts to allow the viewer to immerse themselves in the stillness and beauty of the landscape. Away from the hustle and bustle of modern life, Dersu Uzala’s setting is an invitation to appreciate the slowness of life and the things that truly matter.
With its universal appeal to the beauty of God’s creation, both in the natural world and in the inherent dignity of every human being, no matter how different they may seem, Dersu Uzala is an edifying and approachable film. One does not need to be a cinephile or film historian to fully immerse oneself in what it has to offer. Better still, it is suitable for viewers of nearly all ages. Dersu Uzala stands as one of Kurosawa’s quieter achievements, but for those willing to embark on the journey, a moving experience awaits.
Have long seen this movie named in various film magazines' "must-see" lists, since decades ago in my young, cinephile days. This article is the nudge that finally prompts me to watch it. Thank you!