Madadayo

It's fitting that the final film by Akira Kurosawa, the great Japanese director whose films have influenced generations of filmmakers, should be about a beloved university professor and his eternally grateful students. It becomes poignant when you realize that the master is also grateful; Kurosawa's last work is a cinematic thank-you note from a sensei to all those who have felt his profound influence. Tokyo, 1943: After 30 years of teaching, Professor (Tatsuo Matsumura) has decided to retire and devote himself to writing. He and his wife (Kyoko Kagawa) move into a neat new home where Professor's devoted former students come to pay their respects. They propo...