Guide Note

Based on the memoirs of pre-Soviet Russian explorer Vladimir Arsenyev (Yury Solomin), 1975's Dersu Uzala was one of Akira Kurosawa's most ambitious undertakings. One of the Japanese director's few works filmed in a language other than his native language, Dersu Uzala was shot in Siberia while the Soviet Union was still very much alive. The plot concerns Arsenyev's friendship with Dersu Uzala, a nomadic tribesman, and contemplates the effects of modernity, particularly the loss of indigenous cultures. Newsweek called the film, "an awesome portrait of man and nature." In 1993, actor Solomin was honored in Japan for his performance.

Fast Facts

1. Director: Akira Kurosawa
2. Released: July 1975
3. Running Time: 141 min.
4. Language: Russian
5. Starring: Maxim Munzuk, Yury Solomin
6. Awards: 1975 Oscar for Best Foreign Picture
7. Took 4 years to make