Miike Takashi Shines an Intimate Spotlight on a Kabuki Legend in Debut Documentary ‘Shumei: The Living Legacy of Kabuki’

By Blake Simons

Blake Simons

Latest

• ‘Sheep in the Box’ Expands Kore-eda Hirokazu’s Empathy to Humanoid Androids and the Architecture They Inhabit 4 months ago
• Convenience Store Horror-Comedy ‘AnyMart’: Director Iwasaki Yusuke Unpacks His Berlinale Debut Film 7 months ago
• Japan Night at Berlinale Spotlights Projects From Emerging Directors, Producers 7 months ago

The most remarkable thing about Miike Takashi — whose filmography spans well over a hundred features in a smorgasbord of different genres and styles — is that he has never made a documentary. But now he’s at Venice with doc “Shumei: The Living Legacy of Kabuki.” The films screen out of competition.

“I take on a variety of work,” reflects Miike. “It’s all film — I don’t really differentiate between modes. I wasn’t particularly conscious of taking on documentary film, but I would say it’s a natural progression. [Kabuki artist] Danjūrō turned up in front of me eight years ago and gave me the opportunity to film him. There’s no way I could say no to that kind of opportunity.”

Related Stories

Trump's White House Blasts Rosie O'Donnell After ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ Hosting Run: A 'Nasty Woman' and 'Total Slob'