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Samurai Special -Legendary Stars -
Theatre Cocoon / Le Cinema 1, SHIBUYA BUNKAMURA, Tokyo
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The vintage silent film, Kurosawa's first
Samurai film, Fantastic Samurai musical or the original ZATOICHI.....
Nippon Cinema Classics will be back again. |
[Films]
22 October (Sun) 11:00
at Theatre Cocoon
Special Event
"Makino's family and legendary stars in Japanese films " Guest: Masahiko Tsugawa( Actor, Director)
Born in 1940 in Kyoto between Kunitaro Sawamura, the famous actor of Nikkatsu studio and Tomoko Makino, the actress. His grandfather was a director, Shozo Makino called "The father of Japanese films".
He has been playing as the various characters since his main cast in JUVENILE JUNGLE directed by Ko Nakahira in 1956. Recently, he has been interested in the filmmaking and directed Nezu No Ban in 2005.*Please be advised that the schedule may change due to unavoidable circumstances.
Opening Screening
The Forty-Seven Loyal Samurai (Jitsuroku Chushingura)
<1928/ 80min./ Makino Production>
A film re-edited again after the lack of negatives due to fire comes back with the live performance of narration and music !
<Narrator: Yoichi Inoue>
Director: Shozo Makino
Cast: Yoho Ii /Tsuzuya Moroguchi /Chiezo Kataoka
< Story >
In 1701 (the middle of Edo period), the feudal lord of Ako, Takuminokami Asano (Moroguchi), cannot bear the relentless harassment of his superior, Kozukenosuke Kira (Kobunji Ichikawa). Exasperated, he attacks Kira with his sword in the corridor of Edo castle. As a result, Takuminokami is forced to commit seppuku, and the Asano family is broken up. This film, based on the popular Kabuki play, tells the story of the revenge taken by the ex-Ako samurai. The all-star cast of this 1928 Japanese film treasure was drawn from the leading actors in the traditional and nouveau theater of the time. Our screening will be accompanied with live narration and music, as it was at the time of its theatrical release.
What's Japanese silent film?
The first motion pictures were shown in Kobe in 1896 and just a year later, movies were being exhibited in nearby Osaka - for the first time in Japan. These were silent, of course but, just as in overseas countries, music was used as accompaniment.
In Japan, in addition to the music, the film was also accompanied by a benshi, a narrator who told the audience what it was seeing. Called katsuben (silent film with narration) it began as information but went on to full dramatization. Characters' voices were imitated and the audience was told not only what they were seeing but also how to feel about it.
Katsuben was bound to vanish once all-talkies were introduced but the art has never been entirely forgotten.There are a few practicing benshi and quite a few fans of this entertainment which so securely connects audiences and movies.
This showing features Osaka-Kyoto-style katsuben -- Jun Hamamura as benshi and the only music group inheriting the traditional style using both Japanese and Western instruments to accompany silent films.
They offer an opportunity to witness a unique form of film presentation which preserves the long tradition from more than a century ago.
◆Yoho Ii (1871-1932)
Born in Tokyo, his father was a photographer. Interested in theatrical drama, he was first an actor in the nouveau theater and later the leader of a theatrical company. "The Forty-Seven Loyal Samurai" was his film debut. He also wrote several books including "Nihon Engeki no Setsu."
★ There will be a talk session after each screening from 23 to 25 October.
Samurai Vendetta (Hakuoki)
<1959/ 110min. Kadokawa-herald Co., Ltd.>
Director: Kazuo Mori
Cast : Raizo Ichikawa/Shintaro Katsu /Chitose Maki
< Story >
This is a traditional samurai movie starring Raizo Ichikawa, who had roles in 158 films in just fifteen years before he died at the early age of 37. Tenzen Tange (Ichikawa), a direct retainer of the Shogun, seeks revenge when he finds that his beloved wife Chiharu (Maki) was assaulted by men during his absence. The sword fight scenes in which "Rai-sama" (as Raizo was fondly called) struggles to overcome insurmountable obstacles are overwhelming.
◆Raizo Ichikawa (1931-1969)
Born in Kyoto, Ichikawa was adopted into a kabuki family where he began his acting career. He joined Daiei and became popular when he starred in Kenji Mizoguchi's "Taira Clan Saga"(Shin Heike Monogatari). He received the Blue Ribbon Best Actor Award, the prestigious domestic prize, for his work in "The Temple of the Golden Pavilion"(Enjo) directed by Kon Ichikawa. A star both in name and reality, he appeared in various film series including 12 films in the "Sleepy Eyes of Death"(Nemuri Kyoshiro) series, 8 in the "Ninja"(Shinobi no Mono) series and 5 in the "Nakano Spy School"(Nakano Rikugun Gakko) series. Ichikawa passed away at the early age of 37.
Chikamatsu's "Love in Osaka" (Naniwa no Koi no Monogatari)
<1959/ 106min. Toei Co., Ltd.>
Director: Tomu Uchida
Cast: Kinnosuke Nakamura/Ineko Arima /Chiezo Kataoka
★Special Guest : Ineko Arima (Actress)
< Story >
In this film, the Toei studio samurai star Kinnosuke Nakamura, who used to play the role of "a man in a million," is cast in the role of a pitiful man who commits a capital crime because of his hopeless love. Chube (Nakamura), a young businessman helping his adoptive mother run an express messenger business in Osaka, loves the courtesan Umekawa (Arima) so much that he tries to redeem her by embezzling a customer's cash. Exquisite photography brings this love story to its tragic end.
◆Kinnosuke Nakamura (1932-1997)
He is the forth son of the kabuki actor Tokizo Nakamura. After gaining experience on the stage, Nakamura entered the film industry and soon became popular with the film "Fue-fuki Doji." In 1950's and 60's, he played the hero in epic entertainment films such as "Zen and Sword"(Miyamoto Musashi). After his contract with Toei expired, he produced the independent film "The Ambitious"(Bakumatsu) in 1970. Unfortunately, it was a box-office failure. Eventually opportunities increased and he appeared more frequently on TV programs and the stage. In 1972, he changed his last name from Nakamura to Yorozuya.
The Life and Times of Ichi the Masseur (Zatoichi Monogatari)
<1962/ 96min./ Kadokawa-herald Co., Ltd.>
Director: Kenji Misumi
Cast: Shintaro Katsu /Shigeru Amachi /Masayo Banri
< Story >
In this, the first film of the popular "Zatoichi" series, the large-boned Shintaro Katsu began his portrayal of the daring anti-hero. A blind wanderer, Ichi (Katsu) runs into ronin Miki Hirate (Amachi). Although they enjoy each other's company, Ichi learns that Hirate is the bodyguard of the yakuza clan at war with the clan that has hired Ichi its bodyguard. The last scene, a one-to-one duel between Ichi and Hirate in which each respects the other's sword craft, is breathtaking.
◆Shintaro Katsu (1931-1997)
Born in Fukagawa, the old town in Tokyo. His father was master of nagauta (lit. long song, accompanied by shamisen and taiko). After a visit to Hollywood, he became interested in film. He made debut with Daieiﾕs "Hana no Byakkotai." In the beginning, he was less popular than Raizo Ichikawa, who entered Daiei at the almost same time. However, "Tough Guy"(Akumyo) and "The Life and Times of Ichi the Masseur" propelled Katsu to stardom. In 1962, he married the actress Tamao Nakamura. In 1971, he finally fulfilled his long-awaited dream of directing with the film "Kaoyaku." Actor Tomisaburo Wakayama is his elder brother.
The Men Who Tread on the Tiger's Tail
(Tora no O wo fumu Otokotachi)
<1945/ 59min./ Toho Co., Ltd.>
Director: Akira Kurosawa
Cast: Denjiro Okochi/ Kenichi Enomoto
< Story >
Akira Kurowa's first samurai movie that includes musical scenes adapts the well-known story of Kabuki's "Kanjincho" and Noh's "Ataka." Fleeing an arrest warrant issued by the Shogun Yoritomo, Yoshitsune (Hanjiro Iwai) and Benkei (Okochi) bluff their way through the barrier gate at Ataka. This film is a rare joint appearance of two major stars: the dramatic actor Denjiro Okochi and the colorful character actor Kenichi Enomoto called "Eno-ken"
◆Denjiro Okochi (1898-1962)
Born in Fukuoka, first Okochi hoped to be a dramatist. But he got into acting and made his film debut with "Midagahara no Tate" directed by Teinosuke Kinugasa. He quickly became popular, starring in the 21 films in two years including "A Diary of Chuji's Travels"(Chuji Tabi Nikki). Because Okochi mainly played roles in period samurai dramas, the film policies of the Occupation after the war made it tough for him. But after the Occupation ended, he regained his popularity and was active again.
Samurai Musical (Oshidori Utagassen)
<1939/ 69min./ Nikkatsu Corporation>
Director: Masahiro Makino
Cast: Chiezo Kataoka /Haruyo Ichikawa/ Dick Mine
< Story >
A samurai musical masterpiece starring period-drama mogul Chiezo Kataoka. Set in Edo city, the story depicts the battle between women for the love of a handsome but poor ronin named Reizaburo Asai (Kataoka) and conflicts brought on by the easygoing feudal lord (Dick Mine). The cheerful songs keep the audience smiling and happy throughout this lively comedy.
◆Chiezo Kataoka (1903-1983)
He was born in Gunma and raised in Tokyo from the age of five. Infatuated by the theater and determined to work in film, Kataoka went to see Shozo Maikino in Kyoto. He made his debut with "Manka Jigoku." After working with Maikino's production company for a while, he established his own production company. After the war Kataoka had several hit films including "Dai-bosatsu Toge."
Takadanobaba Duel (Ketto Takadanobaba)
<1937/ 50min./ Nikkatsu Corporation>
Director: Masahiro Makino/Hiroshi Inagaki
Cast: Tsumasaburo Bando/Ryosuke Kagawa
★Spacial Guest : Seizo Fukumoto(Samurai Stunt)
< Story >
Tsumasaburo Bando is the macho star in this piquant samurai story. A masterless samurai, Yasube Nakayama (Bando), leads a life of drinking and fighting in Edo. One day, his uncle, Rokurozaemon (Kagawa), becomes involved in a quarrel with some corrupt samurai. But instead of the uncle, Yasube comes to fight with them . . . . The scene at Takadanobaba when Yasube cuts away 18 attackers is a must-see sequence!
◆Tsumasaburo Bando (1901-1953)
Born in Tokyo, he joined Shozo Makino's company to become an actor and soon became wildly popular. He funded his own productions and also produced "Orochi." After the war in the film "Yabure-daiko" he changed his public image from that of a samurai action actor to a first-rate all around performer. Three of his sons are also actors: Takahiro, Masakazu and Toru.
[Program]
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| *Please be advised that the schedule may change due to unavoidable circumstances. |
[Ticket]
Advance Tickets 
Day Tickets : 1,000 yen |
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 Advance
Tickets on sale at Ticket Pia* : From Sep.30 |
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| *At the counter of Ticket Pia (Pia Station/Pia Spot) PIA telephone reservation 0570-02-9999 (More information is available on Weekly Pia.) |
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| Each day's
door sales will open at 10:00 am. |
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| Notes: All seats are reserved seating. A single ticket is valid for one screening only. | ||
[Inquiries]
| Tokyo International Film Festival 2006 Office | |
| Information Dial "Hello Dial" 03-5777-8600 (7:00-23:00)<
From Sep. 19> Official Website http://www.tiff-jp.net/en/ |
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| Nippon Cinema Classics Office | |
| e-mail: info@eidanren.com | |
| Theater Cocoon / Le Cinema | |
| Tokyu Bunkamura Inc. 24-1,Dogenzaka 2-chome Shibuya-ku |
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