Mitsuo Yanagimachi
Encyclopedia
Mitsuo Yanagimachi is an award-winning Japanese screenwriter and film director.
, Yanagimachi attended the Faculty of Law at Waseda University
but began studying filmmaking. Working as a freelance assistant director after graduating, he started his own production company in 1974 and produced the documentary film God Speed You! Black Emperor
(1976) about bōsōzoku
. He made his fiction film debut in 1979 with Jūkyūsai no Chizu
. That and the later Himatsuri
were based on novels by Kenji Nakagami
. His 1982 work Saraba Itoshiki Daichi
showed in the Competition at the Berlin Film Festival. His films have often focused on youth (Who's Camus Anyway?), on ethnic minorities in Japan (Ai ni Tsuite, Tokyo), as well as on Asia (Shadow of China and the documentary Tabisuru Pao-jiang-hu).
Yanagimachi was awarded the Geijutsu Senshō Prize in 1985 by the Agency for Cultural Affairs.
Career
Born in Namegata District, IbarakiNamegata District, Ibaraki
was a district located in Ibaraki, Japan.As of 2003, the district has an estimated population of 40,930 and a density of 246.08 persons per km². The total area is 166.33 km²....
, Yanagimachi attended the Faculty of Law at Waseda University
Waseda University
, abbreviated as , is one of the most prestigious private universities in Japan and Asia. Its main campuses are located in the northern part of Shinjuku, Tokyo. Founded in 1882 as Tokyo Senmon Gakko, the institution was renamed "Waseda University" in 1902. It is known for its liberal climate...
but began studying filmmaking. Working as a freelance assistant director after graduating, he started his own production company in 1974 and produced the documentary film God Speed You! Black Emperor
God Speed You! Black Emperor
God Speed You! Black Emperor is a 1976 Japanese black-and-white 16 mm documentary film, 90 minutes long, by director Mitsuo Yanagimachi, which follows the exploits of a Japanese biker gang, the Black Emperors. 1970s Japan saw the rise of biker gangs, known as Bōsōzoku, which drew the interest of...
(1976) about bōsōzoku
Bosozoku
is a Japanese subculture associated with motorcycle clubs and gangs.-Traits and history:The word bōsōzoku is also applied to motorcycle gangs, who share an interest in modifications for motorcycles, such as removing the mufflers so that more noise is produced...
. He made his fiction film debut in 1979 with Jūkyūsai no Chizu
Jūkyūsai no Chizu
is a 1979 Japanese film directed by Mitsuo Yanagimachi.-Awards:1st Yokohama Film Festival*Best Supporting Actor - Keizō Kanie*Best New Director - Mitsuo Yanagimachi*Best Newcomer - Yūji Honma*7th Best Film...
. That and the later Himatsuri
Fire Festival (film)
is a 1985 Japanese drama film directed by Mitsuo Yanagimachi. It was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1985 Cannes Film Festival.-Cast:* Kinya Kitaoji - Tatsuo* Kiwako Taichi - Kimiko* Norihei Miki - Yamakawa...
were based on novels by Kenji Nakagami
Kenji Nakagami
Kenji Nakagami was a noted Japanese writer, critic, and poet of buraku ancestry. Nakagami died from kidney cancer in 1992 at the age of 46.- Life :...
. His 1982 work Saraba Itoshiki Daichi
Farewell to the Land
is a 1982 Japanese drama film directed by Mitsuo Yanagimachi. It was entered into the 32nd Berlin International Film Festival.-Cast:* Jinpachi Nezu as Yukio Yamazawa* Kumiko Akiyoshi as Junko* Jirō Chiba as Akihiko Yamazawa...
showed in the Competition at the Berlin Film Festival. His films have often focused on youth (Who's Camus Anyway?), on ethnic minorities in Japan (Ai ni Tsuite, Tokyo), as well as on Asia (Shadow of China and the documentary Tabisuru Pao-jiang-hu).
Yanagimachi was awarded the Geijutsu Senshō Prize in 1985 by the Agency for Cultural Affairs.
Director filmography
- God Speed You! Black EmperorGod Speed You! Black EmperorGod Speed You! Black Emperor is a 1976 Japanese black-and-white 16 mm documentary film, 90 minutes long, by director Mitsuo Yanagimachi, which follows the exploits of a Japanese biker gang, the Black Emperors. 1970s Japan saw the rise of biker gangs, known as Bōsōzoku, which drew the interest of...
(1976 documentary) - Jūkyūsai no ChizuJūkyūsai no Chizuis a 1979 Japanese film directed by Mitsuo Yanagimachi.-Awards:1st Yokohama Film Festival*Best Supporting Actor - Keizō Kanie*Best New Director - Mitsuo Yanagimachi*Best Newcomer - Yūji Honma*7th Best Film...
(1979) - Saraba Itoshiki DaichiFarewell to the Landis a 1982 Japanese drama film directed by Mitsuo Yanagimachi. It was entered into the 32nd Berlin International Film Festival.-Cast:* Jinpachi Nezu as Yukio Yamazawa* Kumiko Akiyoshi as Junko* Jirō Chiba as Akihiko Yamazawa...
(1982) - HimatsuriFire Festival (film)is a 1985 Japanese drama film directed by Mitsuo Yanagimachi. It was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1985 Cannes Film Festival.-Cast:* Kinya Kitaoji - Tatsuo* Kiwako Taichi - Kimiko* Norihei Miki - Yamakawa...
("Fire Festival") (1985) - Shadow of China (1990)
- Ai ni Tsuite, Tokyo (1992) (imdb)
- Tabisuru Pao-jiang-hu (1995 documentary)
- Who's Camus Anyway? (20052005 in film- Highest-grossing films :Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top-grossing films that were first released in the United States in 2005...
) (imdb)
Awards
| Year | Award | Film | Festival |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Best New Director | Jūkyūsai no Chizu Jūkyūsai no Chizu is a 1979 Japanese film directed by Mitsuo Yanagimachi.-Awards:1st Yokohama Film Festival*Best Supporting Actor - Keizō Kanie*Best New Director - Mitsuo Yanagimachi*Best Newcomer - Yūji Honma*7th Best Film... |
Yokohama Film Festival Yokohama Film Festival The is a noticed yearly awards ceremony held in Japan. The festival was started as a small affair by fans and film critics, and first held on February 3, 1980. Ten films are chosen as the best of the year, and various awards are given to personnel... |
| 1985 | Ernest Artaria Award | Himatsuri | Locarno International Film Festival Locarno International Film Festival The Film Festival Locarno is an international film festival held annually in the city of Locarno, Switzerland since 1946. After Cannes and Venice and together with Karlovy Vary, Locarno is the Film Festival with the longest history... |
| 1986 | Rotterdam Award | Himatsuri | Rotterdam International Film Festival |
| 1992 | Interfilm Award - Honorable Mention | Ai ni tsuite, Tokyo | Mannheim-Heidelberg International Film Festival |
| 1992 | Special Jury Prize | Ai ni tsuite, Tokyo | Tokyo International Film Festival Tokyo International Film Festival Tokyo International Film Festival is a film festival established in 1985. The event was held biannually from 1985 to 1991 and annually thereafter... |
| 2005 | Japanese Eyes: Best Film | Kamyu nante shiranai | Tokyo International Film Festival Tokyo International Film Festival Tokyo International Film Festival is a film festival established in 1985. The event was held biannually from 1985 to 1991 and annually thereafter... |