This is an original Japanese B1 poster issued in Japan for the theatrical release of Rhapsody in August (1991), Akira Kurosawa’s late-period masterpiece—an intimate, devastating meditation on memory, family, and the long shadow of the Nagasaki atomic bombing. Starring Sachiko Murase as the grandmother at the film’s emotional centre (with Richard Gere appearing as the American relative), the film is one of Kurosawa’s most personal works—quietly human, morally urgent, and increasingly revered as a key final statement from one of cinema’s greatest directors.
Poster design
A breathtaking, image-led composition built around a towering waterfall—a visual metaphor for time, grief, and the unstoppable force of remembrance. The family is arranged at the water’s edge in a moment of suspended stillness, while the elegant Japanese typography across the top reads 「八月の狂詩曲」 with the roman title “Rhapsody in August” and credits set with refined restraint. A vertical red line of copy at left acts like a whispered emotional refrain, contrasting beautifully with the cool greens and blues of the natural scene. In the large B1 format, the sense of scale and atmosphere is extraordinary—a rare, museum-style Kurosawa display piece.
Condition
Excellent. Please review the photos—they show the exact poster for sale.
It is over 34 years old!
It is not a reproduction or a reprint. Certificate of Authenticity included.
