Part 2/11:
The conversation kicks off with the legendary Akira Kurosawa's 1954 masterpiece, Seven Samurai, renowned for its storytelling innovation and technical brilliance. The film was born from Kurosawa’s desire to depict a day in the life of a medieval samurai during Japan's feudal period. During research, Kurosawa uncovered tales of samurai defending impoverished farmers from bandits—a concept that became the core of the film's narrative.
Interestingly, seven samurai were chosen instead of six to add a dimensional "wild card" to the group. Toshiro Mifune’s character, a drunken, unpredictable warrior, was introduced to add flavor, comedy, and complexity to the team’s dynamics, reflecting Kurosawa’s penchant for nuanced characters.