This session explored Kurosawa’s universe through the study of High and Low, a social thriller in which the director’s staging reveals class divisions in 1960s Japan. Discussions focused on how Kurosawa uses space and visual contrasts to convey social inequalities, while embedding his cinema within a deeply humanist reflection. The conversation also addressed the cross-influences between Japanese and Western cinema, referencing Shakespeare, Dostoevsky, and John Ford. Finally, Catherine Cadou, Kurosawa’s historical translator and interpreter, provided valuable insight into the challenges of translation and cultural transmission related to this work.