Takeshi Kitano

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.

As an actor:

• 2008 Ano sensô wa nandattano ka - Nichibei kaisen to Tôjô Hideki
• 2008 Akiresu to kame
• 2008 Girara no gyakushû: Tôya-ko Samitto kikiippatsu
• 2007 Kantoku · Banzai!
• 2007 Chacun son cinéma ou Ce petit coup au coeur quand la lumière s'éteint et que le film commence
• 2007 "Ten to sen"
• 2005 Takeshis'
• 2004 Chi to hone
• 2004 Izo
• 2003 Zatôichi as Ichi
• 2003 Batoru rowaiaru II: Chinkonka
• 2003 "Musashi"
• 2001 "Hyaku-nen no monogatari"
• 2000 Batoru rowaiaru
• 2000 Brother as Aniki Yamamoto
• 1999 Gohatto as Captain Toshizo Hijikata
• 1999 Kikujirô no natsu as Kikujiro
• 1998 Tokyo Eyes
• 1997 Hana-bi
• 1995 Gonin
• 1995 Johnny Mnemonic
• 1995 Minnâ-yatteruka!
• 1993 Kyôso tanjô
• 1993 Sonatine as Aniki Murakawa
• 1992 Erotikkuna kankei
• 1992 Sakana kara daiokishin!!
• 1990 3-4 x jûgatsu
• 1990 Hoshi wo tsugu mono
• 1989 Sono otoko, kyôbô ni tsuki
• 1988 Anego
• 1986 Komikku zasshi nanka iranai!
• 1986 "Fûun! Takeshi Jô"
• 1985 Yasha
• 1985 Kanashii kibun de joke
• 1984 "Bîto Takeshi no gakumon no susume"
• 1983 Jukkai no mosquito
• 1983 Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence
• 1982 "Keiji yoroshiku"
• 1981 Sukkari... sono ki de!
• 1981 Manon
• 1981 Danpu wataridori
• 1980 Makoto-chan

As a director:

• 2008 Akiresu to kame
• 2007 Kantoku · Banzai!
• 2007 Chacun son cinéma ou Ce petit coup au coeur quand la lumière s'éteint et que le film commence
• 2005 Takeshis'
• 2003 Zatôichi
• 2002 Dolls
• 2000 Brother
• 1999 Kikujirô no natsu
• 1997 Hana-bi
• 1996 Kizzu ritân
• 1995 Minnâ-yatteruka!
• 1993 Sonatine
• 1991 Ano natsu, ichiban shizukana umi
• 1990 3-4 x jûgatsu
• 1989 Sono otoko, kyôbô ni tsuki

As a producer:

• 2007 Chacun son cinéma ou Ce petit coup au coeur quand la lumière s'éteint et que le film commence
• 1990 Hoshi wo tsugu mono