Junji Sakamoto

Junji Sakamoto
Born October 1, 1957 (1957-10-01) (age 54)
Sakai, Japan
Occupation Film director
Years active 1989–present

Junji Sakamoto (阪本 順治 Sakamoto Junji; October 1, 1957-) is a Japanese film director born in Sakai City, Japan. After working as a set assistant or assistant director under such filmmakers as Sogo Ishii and Kazuyuki Izutsu, he made his directorial debut in 1989 with Dotsuitarunen (earning the Directors Guild of Japan New Directors Award[1]) and followed it up with another boxing film, Tekken in 1990. Sakamoto became known for action films focusing on the conflicts between male characters, such as Tokarefu and Shin jingi naki tatakai, but has also made films centered on female characters such as Kao (released in the USA as Face) and Tamamoe!. A number of works, such Ōte and Biriken are set in Osaka, particularly the Shinsekai sector. His films have also taken up such controversial topics as postwar Japanese history and the problem of national sovereignty (Kono yo no soto e: Kurabu shinchūgun or Bōkoku no ījisu), or the trafficking of children in Asia (Yami no kodomotachi).[2] He won the award for Best Director at the 24th Japan Academy Prize and at the 22nd Yokohama Film Festival for Face.[3][4]

Contents

Selected filmography

Director

References

  1. ^ "Nihon Eiga Kantoku Kyōkai Shinjinshō" (in Japanese). Directors Guild of Japan. http://www.dgj.or.jp/award_g/. Retrieved 11 December 2010. 
  2. ^ Gerow, Aaron. "Sakamoto Junji and Children of the Dark." Tangemania: Aaron Gerow's Japanese Film Page. 3 September 2009. Accessed 12 September 2009
  3. ^ "第24回 日本アカデミー賞". Japan Academy Prize. http://www.japan-academy-prize.jp/prizes/?t=24. Retrieved 2009-11-07.  (Japanese)
  4. ^ "第22回ヨコハマ映画祭 2000年日本映画個人賞". Yokohama Film Festival. http://homepage3.nifty.com/yokohama-eigasai/22-2000/22-2000_shou.html. Retrieved 2009-11-07.  (Japanese)

External links