The great Japanese director, Akira Kurosawa, only made one movie outside of Japan. That movie was the Russian-Soviet and Japanese co-produced cinematic translation of Vladimir Arsenyev’s beloved memoir, “Dersu Uzala”, named after the native trapper who aided Arsenyev in his countless exploratory trips into the Siberian wilderness of the Russian Far East. Kurosawa’s film adaption concentrates on the unbreakable friendship that was built between Arsenyev and his trapper friend Dersu. In doing so, he created one of cinema’s great testament to human bonding and friendship.
Set at the beginning of the 20th century, Arsenyev (Yury Solomin), is a captain in the Russian army, sent to lead a troop of soldiers to the Shkotovo region of Siberia on a mission to map out the region for eventual settlement. The region is a hard, wild, and unforgiving area that is alien to the soldiers. One night, a Goldi (native people of the region) trapper arrives at their camp sites, seeking some food and refuge. His name is Dersu Uzala (Maxim Munzuk in a powerhouse performance). Dersu immediately impresses Arsenyev with his wilderness skills and agrees to Arsenyev’s offer to work as their guide during the mission. The movie is divided into two sperate sections, with the first section dealing with this first initial expedition led by Arsenyev. During the trip, Dersu will be critical in protecting the group, and on one occasion save Arsenyev’s life. Arsenyev and Dersu will also build a bond of respect and friendship that grows into brotherly love.
The 2nd section of the movie moves forward five years where, during an additional expedition led by Arsenyev, the group meets Dersu again, who once more agrees to work as their guide. In this second section we learn about bandits who roam the area and the local militia who hunt them down. Dersu will once again save Arsenyev’s life in this section. The pivotal 2nd section also revolves around Dersu slowly going blind, and Arsenyev’s attempt to give him refuge at his home in the city.
There are two prevalent themes in the movie. The first being the theme of humanity’s need for humanity and the stirring and strong friendship that is built between Arsenyev and Dersu. Two people from two different and polar opposite worlds. The aspect of Dersu that strikes Arsenyev the hardest, is the latter’s concern and deep empathy not only for the nature that makes up his world but to all people who wonder about it. When the group finds a deserted hut, Dersu makes sure to fix its roof before they depart, so that others wondering in the wilderness can make use of the hut to save themselves from the elements. Arsenyev was impressed as to how this man could care about people that he not only never met but would never meet.
Dersu’s love of the mountain wilderness that he calls home is what allows him to fully respect its beauty as well as its dangers. He knows that the cold and wind are dangerous and can end life very quickly. My favorite part of the movie is when Arsenyev and Dersu find themselves lost and alone on a frozen lake whose night brings wind and deadly cold. Dersu commands them both to build an artificial shelter and the scene of their hectic and wild gathering of bushes that is used to build the shelter had me transfixed to the screen, never realizing what the result would be until it happened. This was also the pivotal occurrence that cemented the gratitude built within the respect and love that Arsenyev now has for his guide.
The 2nd theme deals with the clashing of cultures and the ability of one culture to adapt to the other. In the wilderness, Arsenyev needs Dersu to survive, and he can only adapt through the help of his new friend. During the closing section of the film’s second part, Dersu needs help to adapt and survive in the city, but Arsenyev is clueless about how to help him. He tries to instill a sense of family in the older man through his own family. Unfortunately for a man who lived most of his life alone and in the wild, this sense of family is not only alien to him, but also impotent in its ability to help Dersu adapt to western civilization. The movie gives a very clear and strong message as to the major differences between eastern or native cultures and the so-called western civilized cultures. Surviving the wilderness required knowledge and the ability to be led by a leader. Learning to survive within urban societies requires a change in mentality that is sometimes impossible to obtain from someone who has lived their whole lives in the wilderness. Think the timeless tales of Tarzan or Pocahontas as an example of this.
The cast of “Dersu Uzala” boasts good performances all around, but a special mention must be made to the performance of Maxim Munzuk as Dersu. Firstly, as an ethnic Turkish-Russian, Munzuk had the look. In addition to the look his range of emotions and surprising physicality makes his Dersu an unforgettable character. He speaks in a broken native dialect when speaking in Russian, making his clipped speech short and to the point. When Dersu speaks, it is never for no reason. Munzuk relays the fear, sadness and happiness invoked by this fascinating true-life character, honest and believable throughout. His small stature belies his physical and emotional stamina and Munzuk, with this performance, had me yearning to be his friend. It is a performance that transcends the sometimes melancholy nature of the story.
“Dersu Uzala” is a movie that boasts many beautiful and spectacular scenes. For example, the two main character’s walks along a frozen lake against white cloudy skies and descending red sunsets are breathtaking. Kurosawa filmed the movie on location at the same region that the movie is set in. The movie encompasses’ numerous wide shots of an unwelcoming wilderness that are stunning to behold.
Akira Kurosawa was one of cinema’s true masters, and it’s a real pleasure seeing him take full control of such a non-Japanese story. He succeeds in beautifully conveying a true life adventure of human companionship with historical significance, making “Dersu Uzala”, an extraordinary film.
1001 Movies before you die 