Sections 49 through Epilogue Summary and Analysis

The Quiet Duel

Along with Yamamoto and several other directors, Akira forms a new studio called the Film Art Association. The first film Akira makes at his new filmmaking home is "The Quiet Duel." He uses the dynamic actor, Mifune Toshiro, in the lead. Filming the climax, Akira and the cameraman are literally moved to tears by the wonderful acting of Mifune and the lead actress.

A Salmon's Old Stories

Akira returns to his old studio Toho several years later. He is dismayed by the decline of Japanese filmmaking which he attributes to the loss of so many great future directors during the strike. American film is surviving the popularity of TV by instituting innovative techniques to lure the audience. Unfortunately, Japanese filmmakers are instead copying TV shows.

Stray Dog

Akira makes "The Stray Dog" at Toho...