Masayuki Suo
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese
film director
. He is perhaps best known for his two Japan Academy Prize-winning films, 1992's Sumo Do, Sumo Don't
and 1996's Shall We Dance?.
According to Suo:
's directorial debut, the pinku eiga Kanda River Pervert War (1983). At this early stage in his career, Suo also wrote scripts for the pink genre, such as Scanty Panty Doll: Pungent Aroma (1983). Suo first film as director was also in the pinku eiga genre: Abnormal Family (1984), a film designed as a tribute and satire of Yasujirō Ozu
's Tokyo Story
. In his book on the pinku eiga, Behind the Pink Curtain (2008), Jasper Sharp calls Abnormal Family an early masterpiece, and one of the wittiest films ever made in the genre. Suo not only pokes gentle fun at Ozu's story, but also mimics many of his stylistic techniques, such as shooting his actors from a low, tatami
-mat angle, stiff and static characters speaking to each other with mis-matched eye-angles, and a simple, sentimental melody which accompanies the film. In the years since its release, the film has amused film students with the activity of locating and identifying Suo's many nods to Ozu and his oeuvre. Abnormal Family was Suo's only directorial work in the pink genre.
He next worked for Jūzō Itami
, to film "making of" pieces for that director's A Taxing Woman
(1987) and A Taxing Woman 2
(1988). He made his regular feature film debut with Fancy Dance in 1989, and won the Directors Guild of Japan New Directors Award
for his next feature, Sumo Do, Sumo Don't
, in 1991. , his most recent film is the 2006 drama
I Just Didn't Do It
.
, a ballet dancer, who starred in Shall We Dance?. They met each other during the production of the movie.
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
film director
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:...
. He is perhaps best known for his two Japan Academy Prize-winning films, 1992's Sumo Do, Sumo Don't
Sumo Do, Sumo Don't
is a 1992 Japanese film directed by Masayuki Suo. It was chosen as Best Film at the Japan Academy Prize ceremony.-Synopsis:In order to graduate from college in a timely manner, and to gain the job waiting for him due to his family connections, Shuhei must join the school's sumo team to please his...
and 1996's Shall We Dance?.
According to Suo:
- "The most important thing for me in movie making is to love the characters of the movie, so even though you only have a few seconds with a character, that person has to have his own life. Therefore, I want to respect it, I want to make movies where each character has his own individuality."
Life and career
In 1982, along with filmmakers Yoshiho Fukuoka, Itsumichi Isomura, Toshiyuki Mizutani and Akira Yoneda, Suo founded a production company called Unit 5. Suo worked as an assistant director and appeared in the cast of Kiyoshi KurosawaKiyoshi Kurosawa
is a Japanese filmmaker. He is best known for his many contributions to the Japanese horror genre.-Biography:Born in Kobe on July 19, 1955, Kiyoshi Kurosawa is not related to director Akira Kurosawa...
's directorial debut, the pinku eiga Kanda River Pervert War (1983). At this early stage in his career, Suo also wrote scripts for the pink genre, such as Scanty Panty Doll: Pungent Aroma (1983). Suo first film as director was also in the pinku eiga genre: Abnormal Family (1984), a film designed as a tribute and satire of Yasujirō Ozu
Yasujiro Ozu
was a prominent Japanese film director and script writer. He is known for his distinctive technical style, developed during the silent era. Marriage and family, especially the relationships between the generations, are among the most persistent themes in his body of work...
's Tokyo Story
Tokyo Story
is a 1953 Japanese film directed by Yasujirō Ozu. It tells the story of an aging couple who travel to Tokyo to visit their grown children. The film contrasts the behavior of their biological children, who are too busy to pay them much attention, and their daughter-in-law, who treats them with...
. In his book on the pinku eiga, Behind the Pink Curtain (2008), Jasper Sharp calls Abnormal Family an early masterpiece, and one of the wittiest films ever made in the genre. Suo not only pokes gentle fun at Ozu's story, but also mimics many of his stylistic techniques, such as shooting his actors from a low, tatami
Tatami
A is a type of mat used as a flooring material in traditional Japanese-style rooms. Traditionally made of rice straw to form the core , with a covering of woven soft rush straw, tatami are made in standard sizes, with the length exactly twice the width...
-mat angle, stiff and static characters speaking to each other with mis-matched eye-angles, and a simple, sentimental melody which accompanies the film. In the years since its release, the film has amused film students with the activity of locating and identifying Suo's many nods to Ozu and his oeuvre. Abnormal Family was Suo's only directorial work in the pink genre.
He next worked for Jūzō Itami
Juzo Itami
, born , was an actor and a popular modern Japanese film director. Many critics came to regard him as Japan's greatest director since Akira Kurosawa. His 10 movies, all of which he wrote himself, are comic satires on elements of Japanese culture....
, to film "making of" pieces for that director's A Taxing Woman
A Taxing Woman
is a 1987 Japanese comedy film written and directed by Juzo Itami. It won numerous awards, including six major Japanese Academy awards.The title character of the film, played by Nobuko Miyamoto, is a government tax investigator who employs various techniques to catch tax evaders.The director...
(1987) and A Taxing Woman 2
A Taxing Woman 2
A Taxing Woman's Return, also titled A Taxing Woman 2 is a 1988 Japanese comedy film written and directed by Juzo Itami. It is the sequel to Itami's 1987 comedy A Taxing Woman....
(1988). He made his regular feature film debut with Fancy Dance in 1989, and won the Directors Guild of Japan New Directors Award
Directors Guild of Japan New Directors Award
The is given annually by the Directors Guild of Japan to a new director of a film released that year who is considered the most "suitable" for the award. The winner is selected by a committee formed of DGJ members. All formats—feature film, documentary, television, video, etc.—are eligible for...
for his next feature, Sumo Do, Sumo Don't
Sumo Do, Sumo Don't
is a 1992 Japanese film directed by Masayuki Suo. It was chosen as Best Film at the Japan Academy Prize ceremony.-Synopsis:In order to graduate from college in a timely manner, and to gain the job waiting for him due to his family connections, Shuhei must join the school's sumo team to please his...
, in 1991. , his most recent film is the 2006 drama
Drama
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
I Just Didn't Do It
I Just Didn't Do It
is a 2007 Japanese film directed by Masayuki Suo. Based on a true story, the film focuses on the story of a young man charged with groping on a train. Following the events depicted in the film, he was acquitted after a five year legal battle. It was Japan's submission to the 80th Academy Awards...
.
Personal life
Suo is married to Tamiyo KusakariTamiyo Kusakari
is a Japanese dancer for the Maki Asami Ballet Company. In 1987, she made her debut as Odette in Swan Lake.From Toshima, Tokyo, Kusakari started dancing professionally at the age of eight and won the first prize at the Japan Ballet Competition of 1987. She received the Muramatsu Award in 1988, and...
, a ballet dancer, who starred in Shall We Dance?. They met each other during the production of the movie.
Filmography
- Abnormal Family: Older Brother's BrideAbnormal Family: Older Brother's Brideis a 1984 Japanese Pink film written and directed by Masayuki Suo and released by Shintōhō.-Synopsis:The plot revolves around the complications brought to a middle-class family when older brother Kōichi brings home his new sexually voracious bride Yuriko...
(変態家族兄貴の嫁さん, also known as Spring Bride, Daughter-in-Law, or My Brother's Wife) (1984) - Making of A Taxing WomanA Taxing Womanis a 1987 Japanese comedy film written and directed by Juzo Itami. It won numerous awards, including six major Japanese Academy awards.The title character of the film, played by Nobuko Miyamoto, is a government tax investigator who employs various techniques to catch tax evaders.The director...
(1987) (documentary) - Making of A Taxing Woman 2A Taxing Woman 2A Taxing Woman's Return, also titled A Taxing Woman 2 is a 1988 Japanese comedy film written and directed by Juzo Itami. It is the sequel to Itami's 1987 comedy A Taxing Woman....
(1988) (documentary) - Fancy Dance (ファンシイダンス, also known as Manic Zen) (1989)
- Sumo Do, Sumo Don'tSumo Do, Sumo Don'tis a 1992 Japanese film directed by Masayuki Suo. It was chosen as Best Film at the Japan Academy Prize ceremony.-Synopsis:In order to graduate from college in a timely manner, and to gain the job waiting for him due to his family connections, Shuhei must join the school's sumo team to please his...
(シコふんじゃった) (1992) - Shall We Dance? (Shall We ダンス？) (1996)
- I Just Didn't Do ItI Just Didn't Do Itis a 2007 Japanese film directed by Masayuki Suo. Based on a true story, the film focuses on the story of a young man charged with groping on a train. Following the events depicted in the film, he was acquitted after a five year legal battle. It was Japan's submission to the 80th Academy Awards...
(それでもボクはやってない, also known as Even So, I Didn't Do It) (2006)
Awards
- 1993 Japan Academy Prize for Director of the YearJapan Academy Prize for Director of the YearThe of the Japan Academy Prize is one of the annual Awards given by the Nippon Academy-sho association .-List of winners:-External links:* - **...
– Sumo Do, Sumo Don'tSumo Do, Sumo Don'tis a 1992 Japanese film directed by Masayuki Suo. It was chosen as Best Film at the Japan Academy Prize ceremony.-Synopsis:In order to graduate from college in a timely manner, and to gain the job waiting for him due to his family connections, Shuhei must join the school's sumo team to please his... - 1997 Japan Academy Prize for Director of the Year – Shall We Dance?