Kitano Takeshi

Takeshi Kitano is a Japanese comedian, actor, presenter, author, poet, painter, one-time video game designer, film editor and film director who has received critical acclaim, both in his native Japan and abroad, for his highly idiosyncratic cinematic work. With the exception of his works as a film director, he is known almost exclusively by the name Beat Takeshi (ビートたけし, Bīto Takeshi). Since April 2005, he has been a professor at the Graduate School of Visual Arts, Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music.

Kitano owns his own film company, Office Kitano, which launched Tokyo Filmex in 2000. Kitano's films are typically dramas about Yakuza gangsters or the police, referred to by critics as being highly deadpan to the point of near-stasis. He often uses long takes where nothing appears to be happening, or with edits that cut immediately to the aftermath of an event. Many of his films express a bleak or nihilistic philosophy, but they are also filled with a great deal of humor and remarkable affection for their characters. Kitano's films paradoxically seem to leave controversial impressions. While formally disguised as dark comedies or gangster movies, his films raise moral questions and provide food for thought.

Directed a music video for his daughter, Shoko Kitano.Had a motorbike accident ending up in hospital for a month.Due to heavy damage suffered in a motorbike incident, he was subjected of an aestetic surgical action involving his entire face.Has written over fifty books, including volumes of film criticism and novels.Often appears on Japanese variety shows.Often show beautiful tattoos on his characters' backs to represent yakuza status.His Father's name was Kikujiro. Kitano admitted that his father spoke to him three times in his life. In 1979, Kitano's father passed away. In an rare interview, Kitano said that the last words of his father had been, "I'm sorry.".William Friedkin's To Live and Die in L.A. (1985) and Sam Peckinpah's Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia (1974) are two of his favorite films.Before becoming a film-maker, he was once a boxer and a tap dancer.Speaks excellent English, but still prefers to give interviews through interpreters.He is an accomplished tap dancer.