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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What separated Akira from his contemporaries on set with Yamamoto Kajiro?
(a) He was the only Japan native.
(b) He was significantly younger.
(c) He had never seen Yamamoto Kajiro's films.
(d) He had no degree.

2. How did young Akira look different than his brother?
(a) He was shorter.
(b) He parted his hair on the other side.
(c) He was paler.
(d) He had a positive expression.

3. What terrifying job did Yamamoto Kajiro give Akira as chief assistant?
(a) Interfacing with the studio heads.
(b) Delivering notes to the lead actors.
(c) Editing the film.
(d) Scheduling shoot dates.

4. Why was PCL first established?
(a) To research for sound films.
(b) To provide film for spy planes.
(c) To stock chain stores with simple film.
(d) To develop military technology.

5. In what time period does Rashomon take place?
(a) Modern Tokyo.
(b) The 19th century.
(c) The 11th century.
(d) Prehistoric times.

6. What does Kurosawa blame for the failure of Sugata Sanshiro, Part II?
(a) Excessive censorship.
(b) His lack of interest.
(c) Lack of funding.
(d) Failure to secure the same actors.

7. Why does Akira Kurosawa think his brother killed himself?
(a) He was about to lose his job.
(b) His screenplay had been rejected.
(c) He lost the girl he wanted to marry him.
(d) He was dying of cancer.

8. In An Alleyway in the Floating World, how did the little girl respond to Akira's rescuing her?
(a) She asks him to put her back.
(b) She kills herself.
(c) She barely acknowledges it.
(d) She cries and holds him.

9. Who did Uekusa and Akira base the antagonist of The Drunken Angel on?
(a) An unlicensed doctor they knew.
(b) A Japanese war criminal.
(c) The teacher they both hated.
(d) A bully who once attacked Uekusa.

10. Why did the censors remove a gate from a Kurosawa film?
(a) They did not want any films over 90 minutes.
(b) They thought it was a vaginal metaphor.
(c) The gate had an imperial symbol on it.
(d) It was shot on a state holiday.

11. Which of Akira's family members died during the filming of The Drunken Angel?
(a) His mother.
(b) His older sister.
(c) His Aunt.
(d) His father.

12. What era was Kurosawa trying to capture in The Stray Dog?
(a) Post-war Japan.
(b) Medieval Japan.
(c) Turn of the century Japan.
(d) Wartime Japan.

13. What is the primary memory Kuosawa has of a Yamamoto Kajiro set?
(a) Sleeplessness.
(b) Serenity.
(c) Fear of firing.
(d) Chaos.

14. What was the first position Akira took under Yamamoto Kajiro?
(a) Set dresser.
(b) Stand in.
(c) Assistant director.
(d) Makeup assistant.

15. What was the man who inspired a character in Scandal distraught over?
(a) His own sense of mortality.
(b) His lost job.
(c) His dying daughter.
(d) His wife's affair.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Kurosawa blame for the failure of Scandal?

2. Why did Akira apply to PCL at 26?

3. In A Coward and A Weakling, why was Akira arrest?

4. What adjective did the censors use to describe their problems with Sugata Sanshiro?

5. Where was Akira directing when Yamamoto Kajiro took ill and died?

(see the answer keys)

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