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Lady Snowblood (film)
is a 1973 Japanese film directed by Toshiya Fujita and starring Meiko Kaji. Based on the manga series of the same name by Kazuo Koike and Kazuo Kamimura, the film recounts the tale of Yuki (Kaji), a woman who seeks vengeance upon three of the people who raped her mother and killed her father and brother. The film's narrative is told out of chronological order, jumping between present and past events. Alongside Kaji, the film's cast includes Toshio Kurosawa, Masaaki Daimonm, Miyoko Akaza, and Kō Nishimura. ''Lady Snowblood'' was released theatrically in Japan on 1 December 1973, and was distributed by Toho. It spawned a sequel, '' Love Song of Vengeance'' (1974). ''Lady Snowblood'' served as a major inspiration for the 2003 Quentin Tarantino film ''Kill Bill''. Plot In 1874, a deathly-ill woman named Sayo gives birth to a baby girl in a women's prison. Naming the child Yuki from seeing the snow outside, Sayo confided to the inmates who helped deliver the baby how she was brutal ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Toshiya Fujita (director)
, also known as , was a Japanese film director, film actor, and screenwriter. He is well-regarded in Japan for his youth films but is best known abroad for '' Lady Snowblood'' and '' Lady Snowblood 2: Love Song of Vengeance'', films not typical of his usual style. Life and career Fujita was born in Pyongyang, Korea. After graduating from Tokyo University, he joined the Nikkatsu studio in 1955. At Nikkatsu, he worked as a publicist, screenwriter, cinematographer and assistant director until he made his debut as a director in 1967. His first film, about a juvenile delinquent, ''Hikō shōnen: Hinode no sakebi'', won him the 1967 New Directors Award from the Directors Guild of Japan. After a successful sequel, ''Hikō shōnen: Wakamono no toride '', Fujita was tapped by Nikkatsu to direct two installments in their youth-oriented ''Alleycat Rock'' series which had been initiated in 1970 by director Yasuharu Hasebe with '' Alleycat Rock: Female Boss''. Fujita's two episodes, '' Stray Ca ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rickshaw
A rickshaw originally denoted a two- or three-wheeled passenger cart, now known as a pulled rickshaw, which is generally pulled by one person carrying one passenger. The first known use of the term was in 1879. Over time, cycle rickshaws (also known as pedicabs or trishaws), auto rickshaws, and electric rickshaws were invented, and have replaced the original pulled rickshaws, with a few exceptions for their use in tourism. Pulled rickshaws created a popular form of transportation, and a source of employment for male labourers, within Asian cities in the 19th century. Their appearance was related to newly acquired knowledge of ball-bearing systems. Their popularity declined as cars, trains and other forms of transportation became widely available. Auto rickshaws are becoming more popular in some cities in the 21st century as an alternative to taxis because of their low cost of hire. Etymology ''Rickshaw'' originates from the Japanese word ''jinrikisha'' (, ''jin'' = human, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kinji Fukasaku
was a Japanese film director and screenwriter. Known for his "broad range and innovative filmmaking," Fukasaku worked in many different genres and styles, but was best known for his gritty yakuza films, typified by the ''Battles Without Honor and Humanity'' series (1973–1976). According to the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, "his turbulent energy and at times extreme violence express a cynical critique of social conditions and genuine sympathy for those left out of Japan's postwar prosperity." He used a '' cinema verite''-inspired shaky camera technique in many of his films from the early 1970s. Fukasaku wrote and directed over 60 films between 1961 and 2003. Some Western sources have associated him with the Japanese New Wave movement of the '60s and '70s, but this belies his commercial success. His works include the Japanese portion of the Hollywood war film ''Tora! Tora! Tora!'' (1970), ''jidaigeki'' such as ''Shogun's Samurai'' (1978), the space opera ''Mes ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Criterion Collection
The Criterion Collection, Inc. (or simply Criterion) is an American home-video distribution company that focuses on licensing, restoring and distributing "important classic and contemporary films." Criterion serves film and media scholars, cinephiles and public and academic libraries. Criterion has helped to standardize certain aspects of home-video releases such as film restoration, the letterboxing format for widescreen films and the inclusion of bonus features such as scholarly essays and commentary tracks. Criterion has produced and distributed more than 1,000 special editions of its films in VHS, Betamax, LaserDisc, DVD, Blu-ray and Ultra HD Blu-ray formats and box sets. These films and their special features are also available via an online streaming service that the company operates. History The company was founded in 1984 by Robert Stein, Aleen Stein and Joe Medjuck, who later were joined by Roger Smith. In 1985, the Steins, William Becker and Jonathan B. Turell f ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Scorpion
Scorpions are predatory arachnids of the order Scorpiones. They have eight legs, and are easily recognized by a pair of grasping pincers and a narrow, segmented tail, often carried in a characteristic forward curve over the back and always ending with a stinger. The evolutionary history of scorpions goes back 435 million years. They mainly live in deserts but have adapted to a wide range of environmental conditions, and can be found on all continents except Antarctica. There are over 2,500 described species, with 22 extant (living) families recognized to date. Their taxonomy is being revised to account for 21st-century genomic studies. Scorpions primarily prey on insects and other invertebrates, but some species hunt vertebrates. They use their pincers to restrain and kill prey, or to prevent their own predation. The venomous sting is used for offense and defense. During courtship, the male and female grasp each other's pincers and dance while he tries to move her ont ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Toei Company
() (also styled TOEI) is a Japanese film, television production, and distribution and video game developer and publishing company. Based in Tokyo, Toei owns and operates thirty-four movie theaters across Japan (all but two of them operated by its subsidiary, T-Joy), studios at Tokyo and Kyoto; and is a shareholder in several television companies. It is notable for creating animated programming known as anime, and live action dramas known as tokusatsu which use special visual effects. It also creates historical dramas (jidaigeki). Outside Japan, it is known as the controlling shareholder of Toei Animation and the owner of the '' Kamen Rider'' and ''Super Sentai'' franchises. Toei is one of the four members of the Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan (MPPAJ), and is therefore one of Japan's Big Four film studios. The name "Toei" is derived from the company's former name . History Toei's predecessor, the , was incorporated in 1938. It was founded by Keita Goto, CEO ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Independent Film
An independent film, independent movie, indie film, or indie movie is a feature film or short film that is produced outside the major film studio system, in addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies (or, in some cases, distributed by major companies). Independent films are sometimes distinguishable by their content and style and the way in which the filmmakers' personal artistic vision is realized. Usually, but not always, independent films are made with considerably lower budgets than major studio films. It is not unusual for well-known actors who are cast in independent features to take substantial pay cuts for a variety of reasons: if they truly believe in the message of the film; they feel indebted to filmmaker for a career break; their career is otherwise stalled or they feel unable to manage a larger commitment to a studio film; the film offers an opportunity to showcase a talent that hasn't gained traction in the studio system; or ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rinichi Yamamoto
was a Japanese actor from Hokkaido. In 1953, he signed to the Toei Company and made his film debut in ''Gakusei Goninotoko''. He is most famous for playing villains and appeared more than 200 films. He also had many guest appearances as a villain in television dramas. His final role was Yoshinaka in the 1980 miniseries ''Shōgun''. Selected Filmography Film *' 'Planet Prince'' (1959) *' 'The Mad Fox'' (1962) * ''A Fugitive from the Past'' (1965) as Monk * ''The Valiant Red Peony'' (1968) * ''Onna Gokuakuchō'' (1970) as Akaza Matajūrō * '' Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Proxy War'' (1973) * '' Lady Snowblood'' (1973) as Maruyama * ''The Street Fighter'' (1974) * '' Lupin III: Strange Psychokinetic Strategy'' (1974) * ''The Return of the Sister Street Fighter'' (1975) as Wang Long-Ming * '' New Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Last Days of the Boss'' (1975) as Kurihara * ''Karate Kiba'' (1976) * ''Empire of Passion'' (1978) * ''Bandits vs. Samurai Squadron'' (1978) * ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Akemi Negishi
was a Japanese actress. Film career Tokyo-born Akemi Negishi came to the attention of international audiences when she starred in the US/Japanese co-production ''Anatahan'', her debut film. Josef von Sternberg directed the tale of shipwrecked Japanese soldiers who refused to believe that World War II had ended six years after the bombing of Hiroshima. Negishi made several films with the acclaimed Japanese film director Akira Kurosawa, including '' Donzoko'' (''The Lower Depths''), '' Dodesukaden'', and '' Ikimono no kiroku'' (''I Live in Fear''). Negishi also had a supporting role in '' Shurayukihime'' (''Lady Snowblood''), which was reportedly one of the main inspirations for Quentin Tarantino's film ''Kill Bill''. Other credits included '' Tokyo no kyujitsu'' (''Tokyo Holiday''), ''Half Human: The Story of the Abominable Snowman'' (aka ''Half Human'', with John Carradine), '' King Kong vs. Godzilla'' and ''Kaidan hebi-onna'' (''Snake Woman's Curse''). Her last film role was ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hitoshi Takagi
was a Japanese voice actor. He died 15 days before his 79th birthday at the age of 78 due to partial ischemic heart disease. He was best known for providing the voice of Totoro. Notable voice roles Anime *''Moomin'' and ''New Moomin'' (Moominpappa) *''Gregory Horror Show'' (Mummy Papa) Films *'' Dōbutsu Takarajima'' (Ossan) *'' Pikachu's Rescue Adventure'' (Kabigon/Snorlax) *'' Pink: Water Bandit, Rain Bandit'' (Silver) *''My Neighbor Totoro'' (Totoro) Video games *''Virtua Fighter 2'' (1994) ( Shun Di) *''Virtua Fighter 3'' (1996) (Shun Di) *'' Gregory Horror Show: Soul Collector'' (2003) (Mummy Papa) Dubbing roles *''The Empire Strikes Back'' (Yoda) *''Return of the Jedi'' (Yoda) *''Malcolm X'' (Elijah Muhammad (Al Freeman Jr.)) Notable live action roles *'' Lady Snowblood'' (Matsuemon) *''Tampopo'' (Restaurant owner) *'' Hanzo the Razor: The Snare'' (Tanbaya the merchant) See also *Voice acting in Japan Voice acting in Japan is an industry where actors provid ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Takeo Chii
was a Japanese actor. He appeared in more than 70 films between 1968 and 2012. Biography Chii was the youngest of eight brothers. He made his acting debut in 1968. He made his film debut with Kihachi Okamoto's '' Kill!''. Chii married actress Saori Maki in 1974 and had one daughter with her. Maki died in 2001 from breast cancer. Chii was initially diagnosed with angina after a hospitalization in 1996, and warned by a doctor to not push himself too hard. Chii had multiple hospitalizations in 2012, after initially going to the hospital in January of that year due to concerns of vision loss. On 29 June 2012, Chii died of heart failure at the age of 70. Filmography Film * '' Kill!'' (1968) – Yaheiji Yoshida * '' Red Lion'' (1969) – Spy * ''Hangyaku no Melody'' (1970) – Hoshino * ''Hiko shonen: Wakamono no toride'' (1970) – Jiro Iwami * ''Hashi no nai kawa 2'' (1970) * ' (1970) – Movies starring * '' Stray Cat Rock: Wild Jumbo'' (1970) – Taki * '' Shinjuku outlaw: Step ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sanae Nakahara
Sanae Nakahara (Japanese: 中原早苗; July 31, 1935 – May 15, 2012) was a Japanese actress from Tokyo. She starred in over 80 films and television shows, the most prominent being her role in the films Lady Snowblood (1973), Yagyu Clan Conspiracy (1978), and Day of Resurrection (1980). Her husband was famed Japanese film director Kinji Fukasaku, and her son, Kenta Fukasaku, is another well-known Japanese film director. Early life and education She graduated from the Kunimoto Girls' High School. Her mother was a stage actress and raised her after divorcing her father. Career She first starred in the film ''Mura Hachibu'' while still in high school, a film about the Shizuoka Prefecture Ueno village ostracism incident. Two years later she signed an exclusive contract with Japanese movie studio Nikkatsu, appearing in films such as Season of the Sun. She appeared in around 80 works over the next 8 years before becoming independent and acting for other studios. Her most rece ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
