Kōichi Saitō (film director)
Encyclopedia
was a Japanese film director
and photographer.
but ended up graduating from the Tokyo College of Photography (currently Tokyo Polytechnic University
). He was initially a movie stills photographer at Nikkatsu
before launching his own production company, Saito Productions, and directing his first film, Tsubuyaki no Jō, "a low-budget, independent film with a visual flair that earned comparisons with Claude Lelouch and with Richard Lester
’s Beatles films, including A Hard Day’s Night
". Some of his first films were youth movies
featuring Group Sounds
music. He came to prominence in the early 1970s with a series of movies about young people escaping to or searching for their identity in the countryside. He won the best director award at the 1972 Mainichi Film Awards
. His Tsugaru jongarabushi was selected the best film of 1973 in the Kinema Junpo
poll of critics. Saitō continued directing into his seventies and also made some documentaries. He was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun
(4th Class, Gold Rays with Rosette) in 2000.
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
and photographer.
Career
Born in Tokyo, Saitō started studying at Rikkyo UniversityRikkyo University
, also known as Saint Paul's University, is a private university, based on Christian precepts, in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. There is a suburban campus in Niiza in nearby Saitama.It is known for its liberal climate symbolized by the motto -History:...
but ended up graduating from the Tokyo College of Photography (currently Tokyo Polytechnic University
Tokyo Polytechnic University
is a private university in Honchō, Nakano, Tokyo. Its nickname is Shadai . It was formerly known as Tokyo College of Photography .The university was founded as Konishi Professional School of Photography in Shibuya in 1923...
). He was initially a movie stills photographer at Nikkatsu
Nikkatsu
is a Japanese entertainment company well known for its film and television productions. It is Japan's oldest major movie studio. The name Nikkatsu is an abbreviation of Nippon Katsudō Shashin, literally "Japan Cinematograph Company".-History:...
before launching his own production company, Saito Productions, and directing his first film, Tsubuyaki no Jō, "a low-budget, independent film with a visual flair that earned comparisons with Claude Lelouch and with Richard Lester
Richard Lester
Richard Lester is an American film director based in Britain. Lester is notable for his work with The Beatles in the 1960s and his work on the Superman film series in the 1980s.-Early years and television:...
’s Beatles films, including A Hard Day’s Night
A Hard Day's Night (film)
A Hard Day's Night is a 1964 British black-and-white comedy film directed by Richard Lester and starring The Beatles—John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr—during the height of Beatlemania. It was written by Alun Owen and originally released by United Artists...
". Some of his first films were youth movies
Teen film
Teen films is a film genre targeted at teenagers and young adults in which the plot is based upon the special interests of teenagers, such as coming of age, first love, rebellion, conflict with parents, teen angst, and alienation...
featuring Group Sounds
Group Sounds
Group Sounds is a genre of Japanese rock music. Inspired by The Beatles, Group Sounds became popular in the mid to late 1960s. Group Sounds initiated fusion of Japanese kayōkyoku music and rock music...
music. He came to prominence in the early 1970s with a series of movies about young people escaping to or searching for their identity in the countryside. He won the best director award at the 1972 Mainichi Film Awards
Mainichi Film Awards
The Mainichi Film Awards are a series of annual film awards, sponsored by Mainichi Shinbun , one of the largest newspaper companies in Japan, since 1946.-Animation awards:...
. His Tsugaru jongarabushi was selected the best film of 1973 in the Kinema Junpo
Kinema Junpo
, commonly called , is a Japanese film magazine which began publication in July 1919. The magazine was founded by a group of four students, including Saburō Tanaka, at the Tokyo Institute of Technology . In that first month, it was published three times on days with a "1" in them. These first three...
poll of critics. Saitō continued directing into his seventies and also made some documentaries. He was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun
Order of the Rising Sun
The is a Japanese order, established in 1875 by Emperor Meiji of Japan. The Order was the first national decoration awarded by the Japanese Government, created on April 10, 1875 by decree of the Council of State. The badge features rays of sunlight from the rising sun...
(4th Class, Gold Rays with Rosette) in 2000.
Selected filmography
- Tsubuyaki no Jō (1967)
- Chiisana sunakku (1968)
- YakusokuThe Rendezvousis a 1972 Japanese film directed by Kōichi Saitō. It was entered into the 22nd Berlin International Film Festival.-Cast:* Keiko Kishi - Woman on parole* Kenichi Hagiwara - Burglar* Yoshie Minami - Supervisor* Rentarô Mikuni - Detective* Jin Nakayama...
(1972) - Tabi no omosaTabi no omosais a 1972 Japanese film directed by Kōichi Saitō. Also known as a Journey Into Solitude in English. The story is about a 16 year old girl who is unsatisfied with her life and leaves her home in search of something else....
(1972) - Tsugaru Folk SongTsugaru Folk Songis a 1973 Japanese film directed by Kōichi Saitō. The story is about the search for the basis of Japanese national identity, and the escape of lovers to the wonderfulness of nature.-Awards:28th Mainichi Film Award*Won: Best Film-External links:...
(1973) - The HomelessThe Homeless (film)is a 1974 Japanese film directed by Kōichi Saitō.-External links:* at Midnight Eye...
(Yadonashi) (1974)