The Criterion Collection

March will officially mark Akira Kurosawa’s centennial, but tributes have already been popping up. Following hot on the heels of the release of the Criterion Collection’s mega collector’s set AK 100: 25 Films by Akira Kurosawa, New York’s Film Forum will begin a twenty-nine-film retrospective on January 6. But first, Hong Kong is showing its Kurosawa spirit: it is currently hosting the AK 100 World Tour, a monthlong celebration commemorating the director’s major achievements. Included in this mammoth anniversary party will be screenings; photography exhibits; displays of costumes, props, and scripts used in Kurosawa’s films, such as Ran and Kagemusha; Kurosawa’s own notebooks and storyboards, including those from his famously unfinished Hollywood venture, Tora! Tora! Tora!; an exhibit of the calligraphy of Ryosetsu Imai, who designed the titles of many of Kurosawa’s films; and a concert of music from the films, performed by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Tomomi Nishimoto. The event began on December 19 and runs until January 17, after which it will travel to other cities around the world; for specific information on venues and times, read more here.