Akira Kurosawa (Japanese 黒澤 明) was a director, screenwriter, producer and editor born March 23, 1910, Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan; died September 6, 1998. He trained as a painter, specifically in "Storyboards" (a set of illustrations shown in sequence with the aim of serving as a guide to understand a story, pre-visualize an animation or follow the structure of a film before being made or filmed) and entered the film industry in 1936 after being hired as assistant director to Kajiro Yamamoto (director, screenwriter and actor known for his films dealing with comedy and war themes; through time mentor of Akira Kurosawa). He began his studies in 1938, when a large film studio called Tõhõ announced an apprenticeship program for anyone interested. His debut was with the film Sanshiro Sugata (The Legend of the Great Judo), released in 1943. Sanshiro Sugata had been written by Tomita Tsuneo and even before the book's release, Akira had managed to convince the owner of the Tõhõ studio to buy the book before its release, so that he could direct it in front of the cameras. It was his first success. Shortly after, in 1948, he released his second film, his first solo film (without the interference of Tõhõ studio): 'Drunken Angel'. This second film of his was also a success as well as creating an important link with the actor Toshirô Mifune, with whom he would share during the following decades more than 16 films together. In 1950, Rashōmon was released, directed by Akira Kursawa with actor Toshirô Mifune. It was with this release that it won the top prize at the Venice Film Festival. Subsequently several films were released: Ikiru (1952), Seven Samurai (1954), Throne of Blood (1957 - super successful due to the incredible adaptation of Shakespeare's book), Yokimbo (1961) and Sanjuro (1962). After working in different genres, on December 22nd, 1971 specifically, Akira Kurosawa attempted suicide. After the failed suicide attempt, he continued with his artistic life. A small and personal low-budget photography for the film Dodes'ka-den (1970); Akira's first color film.