Yutaka Ikejima
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese film director
, actor
, and producer
. Considered the most successful filmmaker in the pink film genre in the 2000s, his films are popular with traditional pink film audiences, fans of cinema, and with critics. Because of his prolific contributions to the pink film he has earned the nickname "Mr. Pink".
. He first entered the entertainment business in the late 1970s as an actor with Shuji Terayama
's theatrical group Tenjō Sajiki
.
His film debut was in the 1981 Genji Nakamura pink film Semi Documentary: Housewife Prostitution Team aka Document Porno: Married Woman Prostitution Techniques. In contrast to his stage career, in his screen work, Ikejima has stayed in the erotic genres. Between 1981 and 1988 he appeared in over 500 softcore pink films, working for such directors as Hisayasu Satō
, Yōjirō Takita
and Ryūichi Hiroki
. Ikejima appeared in Satō's gay-themed Temptation of the Mask (1987), a film significant for joining three of the in one work. Ikejima became one of Zeze Takahisa's "Zeze-gumi" (Zeze-group) of regulars including Takeshi Itō, Yōta Kawase and Yumeka Sasaki. Though most awarded and recognized as a director, Ikejima has continued acting to the present day.
He began his directorial career in 1988, at first working mainly in AVs (adult videos). His cinematic theatrical debut as a director was (1991). Through his production company Cement Match, Ikejima both stages plays and self-produces film. Cement Match has made films for all of the major pink film distribution companies, but most often produces for OP Eiga
. Through this company he has produced such prominent pink films as Daisuke Goto's A Lonely Cow Weeps at Dawn
(2003) and ENK's The Gays in Wonderland (1997). Also active in gay-themed films in both acting and directing careers, the 1996 gay film, Love Me Danger, directed by Ikejima, was chosen the 6th Best Film at the Pink Grand Prix. His Men Who Love (2002) was one of the first pink films to be shown at the Tokyo International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival
.
In his pink film directorial career, Ikejima usually collaborates with his wife, screenwriter Kyōko Godai, who had previously made a name for herself scripting for Hisayasu Satō. Known for his professionalism and efficiency, when the original pink film version of The Glamorous Life of Sachiko Hanai
went over-budget and behind schedule (because of its ambition and precarious production history, Jasper Sharp characterizes it as the Apocalypse Now
of the pink film world), Ikejima was called in to film a temporary replacement, a task he accomplished in a few days. In 2008 Ikejima directed his 100th pink film, an accomplishment for which he was given a special award at the Pink Grand Prix
.
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:...
, actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, and producer
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
. Considered the most successful filmmaker in the pink film genre in the 2000s, his films are popular with traditional pink film audiences, fans of cinema, and with critics. Because of his prolific contributions to the pink film he has earned the nickname "Mr. Pink".
Life and career
Yutaka Ikejima was born on March 30, 1948. He studied Literature at Waseda UniversityWaseda University
, abbreviated as , is one of the most prestigious private universities in Japan and Asia. Its main campuses are located in the northern part of Shinjuku, Tokyo. Founded in 1882 as Tokyo Senmon Gakko, the institution was renamed "Waseda University" in 1902. It is known for its liberal climate...
. He first entered the entertainment business in the late 1970s as an actor with Shuji Terayama
Shuji Terayama
was an avant-garde Japanese poet, dramatist, writer, film director, and photographer. According to many critics and supporters, he was one of the most productive and provocative creative artists to come out of Japan. He was born December 10, 1935, the only son of Hachiro and Hatsu Terayama in...
's theatrical group Tenjō Sajiki
Tenjo Sajiki
was a Japanese independent theater troupe led by Shūji Terayama and active between 1967 and 1983 . A major phenomenon on the Japanese underground scene, the group has produced a number of stage works marked by experimentalism, folklore influences, social provocation, grotesque eroticism and the...
.
His film debut was in the 1981 Genji Nakamura pink film Semi Documentary: Housewife Prostitution Team aka Document Porno: Married Woman Prostitution Techniques. In contrast to his stage career, in his screen work, Ikejima has stayed in the erotic genres. Between 1981 and 1988 he appeared in over 500 softcore pink films, working for such directors as Hisayasu Satō
Hisayasu Sato
is a Japanese exploitation film director. He has worked prolifically in the pinku eiga genre. His best known works are the pink film The Bedroom , and the V-Cinema splatter film Splatter: Naked Blood . He is known for his "sledgehammer" filmmaking style, and using his exploitation career to tackle...
, Yōjirō Takita
Yojiro Takita
Yōjirō Takita , is a Japanese filmmaker.-Career:Yōjirō Takita entered the film industry throughMukai Productions, where he served as an assistant director...
and Ryūichi Hiroki
Ryuichi Hiroki
is a Japanese artist, film director, and film editor.-Biography:Ryūichi Hiroki is now one of the most prolific film directors in Japan. He is a pioneer in using digital video to shoot theatrical films in Japan...
. Ikejima appeared in Satō's gay-themed Temptation of the Mask (1987), a film significant for joining three of the in one work. Ikejima became one of Zeze Takahisa's "Zeze-gumi" (Zeze-group) of regulars including Takeshi Itō, Yōta Kawase and Yumeka Sasaki. Though most awarded and recognized as a director, Ikejima has continued acting to the present day.
He began his directorial career in 1988, at first working mainly in AVs (adult videos). His cinematic theatrical debut as a director was (1991). Through his production company Cement Match, Ikejima both stages plays and self-produces film. Cement Match has made films for all of the major pink film distribution companies, but most often produces for OP Eiga
OP Eiga
, also known as is the largest and one of the oldest independent Japanese studios which produce and distribute pink films. Along with Shintōhō, Kantō, Million Film, and Kōji Wakamatsu's production studio, Ōkura was one of the most influential studios on the pink film genre...
. Through this company he has produced such prominent pink films as Daisuke Goto's A Lonely Cow Weeps at Dawn
A Lonely Cow Weeps at Dawn
aka A Cow at Daybreak and Cowshed of Immorality is a Japanese pink film directed by Daisuke Gotō and starring Ryōko Asagi and Horyu Nakamura. It has been shown in film festivals, and was named the fifth best pink film released in the year 2003.-Synopsis:Noriko, a young widow, lives with her...
(2003) and ENK's The Gays in Wonderland (1997). Also active in gay-themed films in both acting and directing careers, the 1996 gay film, Love Me Danger, directed by Ikejima, was chosen the 6th Best Film at the Pink Grand Prix. His Men Who Love (2002) was one of the first pink films to be shown at the Tokyo International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival
Tokyo International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival
The Tokyo International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival is an international film festival for sexual minorities held in Tokyo.The festival began in 1992 and is held every year in July at the Spiral Hall in the Aoyama neighborhood of Tokyo....
.
In his pink film directorial career, Ikejima usually collaborates with his wife, screenwriter Kyōko Godai, who had previously made a name for herself scripting for Hisayasu Satō. Known for his professionalism and efficiency, when the original pink film version of The Glamorous Life of Sachiko Hanai
The Glamorous Life of Sachiko Hanai
began life as a pink film, the durable Japanese soft-core genre, with the title but it developed into a cult hit and the producers allowed director Mitsuru Meike to expand it into its present form...
went over-budget and behind schedule (because of its ambition and precarious production history, Jasper Sharp characterizes it as the Apocalypse Now
Apocalypse Now
Apocalypse Now is a 1979 American war film set during the Vietnam War, produced and directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The central character is US Army special operations officer Captain Benjamin L. Willard , of MACV-SOG, an assassin sent to kill the renegade and presumed insane Special Forces...
of the pink film world), Ikejima was called in to film a temporary replacement, a task he accomplished in a few days. In 2008 Ikejima directed his 100th pink film, an accomplishment for which he was given a special award at the Pink Grand Prix
Pink Grand Prix
The or is an annual Japanese film award ceremony which recognizes excellence in the pink film. Known as the "Academy Awards of the Pink Film", the ceremony attracts a diverse audience of industry personnel, film scholars and the general public....
.
Top-ten films, Pink Grand Prix: As director
- 1994 9th place (tie):
- 1995 2nd place:
- 1995 4th place:
- 1996 4th place:
- 1996 6th place (tie):
- 1996 6th place (tie):
- 1997 4th place:
- 1998 1st place:
- 1998 4th place:
- 1998 6th place:
- 1998 7th place:
- 2000 7th place:
- 2000 9th place:
- 2002 3rd place:
- 2002 8th place:
- 2002 9th place:
- 2003 2nd place:
- 2003 9th place:
- 2004 Honorable Mention:
- 2005 9th place:
- 2005 10th place:
- 2006 3rd place: Hostess Madness: Unparched NectarHostess Madness: Unparched Nectaris a 2006 Japanese pink film directed by Yutaka Ikejima and written by Kyōko Godai, Ikejima's wife and frequent collaborator. It won the Bronze Prize for Best Film, and Best Director awards at the Pink Grand Prix ceremony.-Cast:* Yuria Hidaka : Ami...
- 2006 5th place:
- 2006 6th place:
- 2007 8th place:
- 2008 1st place:
- 2008 4th place:
- 2008 6th place:
Pinky Ribbon Awards
- 2008 Gold Prize:
- 2008 Pearl Prize: