| Sunday, 26 February 2012 00:00 |
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Takashi Kitano: Prolific, yet different
(Mumbai's impressions)
Takashi Kitano, born in Tokyo in 1947, entered the world of films via the stage in 1989 as director with his debut film Sono Otoko, Kyobo Ni Tsuki since then he has written, directed, edited and starred in almost a film per year.
The extraordinary success of Hana-bi (1997( confirmed Kitano’s place as a leading figure of international cinema. Among numerous awards, the film won Venice Film Festival’s Golden Lion and was named Best Non-European Film by European Film Academy.
As an actor, Kitano has also appeared in films that he has not directed himself.
He won international attention for his role in Nagisa Oshima’s Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (19830. He acted again in Oshima’s 1999 samurai epic Gohatto (Taboo).
The other films he appeared in includes Kinji Fukasaku’s controversial box-office hit Batoru rowaiaru (Battle Royale) in 2000.
His also acted in films directed by non-Japanese film-makers such as, Robert Longo’s Johnny Mnemonic (1995) and Jean-Pierre Limosin’s Tokyo Eyes (1998).
After an incredibly prolific and diverse 25-year career, Kitano continues to be one of the foremost personalities in Japan.
The film I saw at Third Eye AFF:
Kikujiro, Japan, 121 min., 1999, Color, director Takashi Kitano
Synopsis. Brash, loudmouthed and opportunistic, Kikujiro hardly seems the ideal companion for little Masao who is determined to travel long distances to see the mother he has never met. Their excursion to the cycle races is the first of a series of adventures for the unlikely pair which soon turns out to be a whimsical jorney of laughter and tears with a wide array of surprises and odd ball characters to meet along the way.
From Mumbai's catalogue, Gulbara Tolomushova |
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