10 Movies About Death That Will Change Your Life
1. Ikiru (1952)
Akira Kurosawa's most hauntingly beautiful movie, Ikiru (which is Japanese for "to live") tells the story of aging civil servant Watanabe as he's diagnosed with stomach cancer and comes to realise his entire life appears to have no meaning. His wife is dead, his son uncaring, and his work empty.
In an attempt to come to terms with his looming death, Watanabe spends the movie searching for purpose. He listlessly ventures into Tokyo's nightclub scene, considers his relationship with his son and his colleagues, and eventually decides to spend his last days fighting for a playground to be built in the city.
Heartbreakingly tragic and boosted to greatness by both Takashi Shimura's aching performance and Kurosawa's unparalleled commitment to humanist ideals, Ikiru acts as a stark reminder that we all must come to terms with death, but also live our lives to their fullest and help others before the end comes.
Ikiru is Kurosawa's greatest movie, and with its haunting portrayal of acceptance, grief, and loss, it's also a film guaranteed to change your life forever.