The Directorspective: Takeshi Kitano
Stand-up comedian, games show host, actor, writer, film critic, painter, poet, cartoonist and one of Japan’s leading contemporary film directors, Takeshi ‘Beat’ Kitano is a household name in Japan and a national celebrity.

 

Sun 14 Nov 6.15pm 
Hana bi
Winner of 21 awards and the first Japanese film to win the Golden Lion at Venice, Hana bi (Firework) sensitively navigates rage and love through the eyes of an outwardly impassive, inwardly guilt riddled ex cop, desperate to make amends to his terminally ill, terminally neglected wife and his suicidal ex partner. .
Japan 1997 Dir. Takeshi Kitano 103 min.

 

Sun 14 Nov 8.15pm                   
Brother 18
Kitano’s first film made outside of Japan and his first collaboration with the fashion designer Yohji Yamamoto, Brother, is the story of a deposed Tokyo Yakuza who travels to Los Angeles to set up a drugs empire with his half brother.
Japan 2000 Dir. Takeshi Kitano 113 min.

 

Mon 15 Nov 6.30pm      
Dolls 12a
Highly stylised, with gorgeous costumes from Yamamoto and richly saturated colour as the film moves through the four seasons, Dolls weaves together three narratives of spurned love.  
Japan 2002  Dir. Takeshi Kitano 113 min.

 

Mon 15 Nov 8.40pm      
Zatôichi 18
Full of the finest fight choreography, dappled with moments of sublime humour and boasting another of the director’s collaborations with the designer Yohji Yamamoto - this is one of Kitano's most visually arresting works.      

Japan 2003 Dir. Takeshi Kitano 115 min.

All films are in Japanese with English subtitles unless otherwise stated.

Film tickets: £8.50 online / £10.50 full price; Members £6.50 online / £8.50 full price; Concessions £7.50; Under 15 £5.50 subject to availability