Akira Kurosawa s Ran is inspired by King Lear, but may be as much about Kurosawa s life as Shakespeare s play. Seeing it again in a fine new 35mm print, I realized the action doesn t center on the old man, but has a fearful energy of its own, through which he wanders. Kurosawa has not told the story of a great man whose sin of pride drives him mad, but the story of a man who has waged war all his life, hopes to impose peace in his old age and unleashes even greater turmoil. There are parallels not only with kings but also with filmmakers, who like royalty must enforce their vision in a world seething with jealousy, finance, intrigue, vanity and greed.