The Japan Foundation in Cairo is hosting a series of lectures discussing the works of the renowned Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa. Lectures will be held by film critics Essam Zakaria and Magda Mouris during the month of June. Kurosawa is one of the important filmmakers in world cinema, who has made over 30 films in his lifetime. His international breakthrough was through the film Rashomon, which combines two short stories by Ry?nosuke Akutagawa. The film won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. Among his awards are an honorary Academy Award for his cinematic accomplishments, a Palme d\'Or for his film Kagemusha, a BAFTA award for Ran, the Silver Bear at the Berlinale for The Hidden Fortress and a Career Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival in 1982. Programme: 14 June Who is Akira Kurosawa? Reflections on his cinematic works. Lecture by film critic Essam Zakaria 21 June The international influence of Akira Kurosawa Lecture by film critic Essam Zakaria 28 June Screening of After The Rain followed by a discussion with film critic Magda Mouris. All lectures start at 6pm. Japan Foundation Library, Cairo Centre Building, 5th floor, 106 Qasr Al-Aini Street, Garden City. From Ahram