KYOTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Director Sadao Nakajima has built up his film career in Kyoto spanning over half a century. As a filmmaker, Nakajima examines the chanbara (samurai fighting films) produced in Kyoto from their core. Nakajima talks to a wide range of film experts, including fighters, actors, film scholars, and critics about the fascination of chanbara films that cannot be seen by simply following the story including the background to the creation of period dramas and the Japanese view of life and death in chanbara films. The documentary part highlights Japan's pride in its art and culture, and the original chanbara fighting scenes featuring actors Shogo Kimura, Chihiro Yamamoto, performers from the Toei Tsurugikai troupe and others under the guidance of director Nakajima, along with the making of the scenes. The film follows how the chanbara fighting scenes are created, and ends with a completed scene.

Chihiro Yamamoto
Shogo Kimura
Hiroki Matsukata
Seizo Fukumoto
Mitsuhiko Seike
Toei Tsurugikai

Director

Sadao Nakajima

Written by

Sadao Nakajima

Music

Kazuki Kuriyama

Country

Japan

Year

2015