Takeshi Kitano

Born:January 18, 1947

Place of Birth:Tokyo, Japan

Known For:Directing

Biography

Takeshi Kitano, known to many as Beat Takeshi, is a multifaceted talent hailing from Japan. Born on January 18, 1947, Kitano has made a name for himself as a comedian, actor, and filmmaker. While his roots lie in comedy and television hosting in Japan, he has gained global recognition for his work behind and in front of the camera.

In the 1970s, Kitano's career took off as one half of the comedy duo Two Beat, showcasing his sharp wit and comedic timing. Transitioning to a solo career, he quickly became one of Japan's most prominent comedians, captivating audiences with his unique style. Despite starting in comedy, Kitano's foray into acting and directing proved to be equally successful.

Making his directorial debut with "Violent Cop" in 1989, Kitano caught the attention of international audiences with his distinct storytelling and visual flair. It was his film "Sonatine" in 1993 that solidified his reputation as a filmmaker to watch, blending dark humor with poignant narratives. Despite initial skepticism in Japan, his film "Hana-bi" clinched the prestigious Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival in 1997, cementing his status as a respected director.

Kitano's creative genius extended beyond film, as he ventured into television hosting with the iconic game show "Takeshi's Castle" from 1986 to 1990, showcasing his playful side. His on-screen presence also shone in the cult classic "Battle Royale" in 2000, where his portrayal captivated audiences worldwide. Kitano's diverse talents have garnered him a loyal following both in Japan and internationally, with his works leaving a lasting impact on the entertainment industry.

In October 2017, Kitano concluded his Outrage crime trilogy with "Outrage Coda," further demonstrating his storytelling prowess and cinematic vision. His ability to seamlessly transition between genres and roles showcases his versatility and depth as an artist. With a career spanning decades, Kitano continues to inspire aspiring filmmakers and entertain audiences with his unparalleled creativity and passion for the craft.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Kitano's influence extends to shaping the landscape of Japanese cinema and comedy, leaving an indelible mark on the industry. His dedication to pushing artistic boundaries and exploring complex themes sets him apart as a visionary in the world of entertainment. As Beat Takeshi, he has carved a legacy that transcends borders and generations, solidifying his place as a true icon in the realm of film and comedy.

Images

Filmography

Acting

Ghost in the Shell

Chief Daisuke Aramaki

2017

In the near future, Major is the first of her kind: a human saved from a terrible crash, then cyber-enhanced to be a perfect soldier devoted to stopping the world's most dangerous criminals.

Battle Royale

Kitano

2000

In the future, the Japanese government captures a class of ninth-grade students and forces them to kill each other under the revolutionary "Battle Royale" act.

Brother

Aniki Yamamoto

2000

A Japanese Yakuza gangster's deadly existence in his homeland gets him exiled to Los Angeles, where he is taken in by his little brother and his brother's gang.

Johnny Mnemonic

Takahashi

1995

In a dystopian 2021, Johnny is a data trafficker who has an implant that allows him to securely store data too sensitive for regular computer networks. On one delivery run, he accepts a package that not only exceeds the implant's safety limits—and will kill him if the data is not removed in time—but also contains information far more important and valuable than he had ever imagined. On a race against time, he must avoid the assassins sent to kill him and remove the data before it, too, ends his life.

Kikujiro

1999

Brash, loudmouthed and opportunistic, Kikujiro is the unlikely companion for Masao who is determined to see the mother he has never met. The two begin a series of adventures which soon turns out to be a whimsical journey of laughter and tears with a wide array of surprises and unique characters along the way.

Outrage

Otomo

2010

When a tough yakuza gangster is betrayed by his bosses, it means all out war. Bodies pile up as he takes out everyone in his way to the top in a brutal quest for revenge.

Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence

Hara

1983

Island of Java, 1942, during World War II. British Major Jack Celliers arrives at a Japanese prison camp, run by the strict Captain Yonoi. Colonel John Lawrence, who has a profound knowledge of Japanese culture, and Sergeant Hara, brutal and simpleton, will witness the struggle of wills between two men from very different backgrounds who are tragically destined to clash.

Fireworks

Yoshitaka Nishi

1997

Beleaguered police detective Nishi takes desperate measures to try and set things right in a world gone wrong. With his wife suffering from leukemia and his business partner paralyzed from a brutal gangster attack, Nishi borrows from a yakuza loan shark and then robs a bank to clear his debt.

Broken Rage

Nezumi

2024

A seemingly unremarkable man called “Mouse” is caught by the police. In exchange for his freedom, he goes undercover, infiltrates a drug ring, and arranges a fake deal, but an unexpected turn of events occurs.

Zatoichi

Zatoichi / Ichi

2003

Blind traveler Zatoichi is a master swordsman and a masseur with a fondness for gambling on dice games. When he arrives in a village torn apart by warring gangs, he sets out to protect the townspeople.

Sonatine

Aniki Murakawa

1993

Murakawa, an aging Tokyo yakuza tiring of gangster life, is sent by his boss to Okinawa along with a few of his henchmen to help end a gang war, supposedly as mediators between two warring clans. He finds that the dispute between the clans is insignificant and whilst wondering why he was sent to Okinawa at all, his group is attacked in an ambush. The survivors flee and make a decision to lay low at the beach while they await further instructions.

Boiling Point

Uehara

1990

Masaki, a baseball player and gas-station attendant, gets into trouble with the local Yakuza and goes to Okinawa to get a gun to defend himself. There he meets Uehara, a tough gangster, who is in serious debt to the yakuza and planning revenge.

Violent Cop

Azuma Ryosuke

1989

A detective breaks all rules of ethical conduct while investigating a colleague’s involvement in drug pushing and Yakuza activities.

Outrage Coda

Otomo

2017

Five years after the all-out war between the Sanno and Hanabishi crime families, former yakuza boss Otomo works in South Korea for Mr. Chang, a noted fixer. When tensions rise between Chang and the Hanabishi, and Chang's life is endangered, Otomo returns to Japan to settle things once and for all.

Battle Royale II: Requiem

Kitano

2003

It's three years after the events of the original Battle Royale, and Shuya Nanahara is now an internationally-known terrorist determined to bring down the government. His terrorist group, Wild Seven, stages an attack that levels several buildings in Tokyo on Christmas Day, killing 8000 people. In order for the government to study the benefits of "teamwork", the new students work in pairs, with their collars electronically linked so that if one of them is killed, the other dies as well. They must kill Nanahara in three days - or die.

Production

Brother

Writer

2000

A Japanese Yakuza gangster's deadly existence in his homeland gets him exiled to Los Angeles, where he is taken in by his little brother and his brother's gang.

Kikujiro

Screenplay

1999

Outrage

Editor

2010

When a tough yakuza gangster is betrayed by his bosses, it means all out war. Bodies pile up as he takes out everyone in his way to the top in a brutal quest for revenge.

Fireworks

Screenplay

1997

Kids Return

Editor

1996

Shinji and Masaru spend most of their school days harassing fellow classmates and playing pranks. They drop out and Shinji becomes a small-time boxer, while Masaru joins up with a local yakuza gang. However, the world is a tough place.

Broken Rage

Editor

2024

Zatoichi

Editor

2003

Sonatine

Screenplay

1993

Boiling Point

Screenplay

1990

Violent Cop

Writer

1989

A detective breaks all rules of ethical conduct while investigating a colleague’s involvement in drug pushing and Yakuza activities.

Outrage Coda

Screenplay

2017

Dolls

Editor

2002

Dolls takes puppeteering as its overriding motif, which relates thematically to the action provided by the live characters. Chief among those tales is the story of Matsumoto and Sawako, a young couple whose relationship is about to be broken apart by the former's parents, who have insisted their son take part in an arranged marriage to his boss' daughter.