夢
"The past, present, and future. The thoughts and images of one man... for all men. One man's dreams... for every dreamer."
Dreams - Characters & Cast
Character Analysis
"I" (The Dreamer)
Akira Terao (Adult), Mitsunori Isaki (Child)
Motivation
To witness, understand, and survive the visions presented to him. He rarely acts to change events but rather observes and questions them.
Character Arc
He evolves from a curious, disobedient child to a guilt-ridden soldier, an aspiring artist, a terrified survivor, and finally a traveler seeking wisdom. He is the vessel for Kurosawa's own consciousness.
Vincent van Gogh
Martin Scorsese
Motivation
To capture the beauty of nature before his time runs out. He describes himself as a locomotive that must drive forward.
Character Arc
He appears briefly to lecture the dreamer on the nature of art and seeing, before disappearing into his own wheat field painting.
The Old Man
Chishu Ryu
Motivation
To live a clean life in harmony with nature and die a peaceful, celebrated death.
Character Arc
He represents the endpoint of the journey. He has rejected modern convenience for a life of spiritual peace and explains the village's philosophy to the traveler.