Michael Rich - On Akira Kurosawa

The speaker reflects on the concept of a favorite teacher, emphasizing that we are shaped by all our experiences and educators. They highlight the profound impact of working with Japanese film director Icatar Kurosawa, who taught them about humanity and compassion despite his difficult personality. The experience of being an outsider in Japan was both humbling and centering, teaching the speaker about the universality of being 'the other.' Kurosawa's films often depict heroes and villains as similar, with the key difference being the hero's continuous journey of growth. This idea parallels the speaker's view of education as a lifelong quest for knowledge and self-improvement.

Who is the teacher mentioned in the text that had a significant impact on the speaker?

What important lesson about humanity did the speaker learn from their experience with the teacher?

In what way did the speaker feel 'other' during their time in Japan?

How does the speaker describe the relationship between heroes and villains in the films of the teacher?

What does the speaker believe education is ultimately about?