Madadayo (1993) DVD

Considered to be one of cinemas greatest talents, Akira Kurosawa s final film is released in the UK for the very first time. Warm, touching and rousing, MADADAYO is the perfect bookend to a lifetime of cinematic achievements. MADADAYO follows the last two decades in the life of Hyakken Uchida (Tetsuo Matsumura), a writer and teacher who retires in the war years of the early 1940 s. Beginning in 1943 (the year Kurosawa made his first feature), he is beloved by his students and colleagues who join him each year for a birthday celebration, toasting Mahda-kai? (Are you ready?) to which his answer is always Madadayo! which means Not yet! , acknowledging that death may be near but life goes on it is both a triumphant denial of death and a gentle plea for more time. In an interview at the time of the film's release, Kurosawa said his movie is about 'something very precious, which has been all but forgotten: The enviable world of warm hearts.' He added 'hope that all the people who have seen this picture will leave the theatre feeling refreshed, with broad smiles on their faces'