Directed by Sang-il Lee and written by Satoko Okudera based on the book by Shuichi Yoshida. After the death of his father, the leader of a Yakuza gang, 14-year-old Kikuo is placed under the tutelage of a famous Kabuki actor alongside the actor’s son Shunsuke. The two study and learn the traditional KABUKI (ONNAGATA) founded in 1603 by a woman but in 1629 the government banned women from performing and mandated only males could. Kikuo and Shusuke learn from the Master as they vie to become the greatest living KABUKI master. Their competition becomes enmity as the film spans decades with superb performances by Ryo Yoshizaya as Kikuo, Ryusei Yokohama as Shunsuke and veteran actor Ken Watanabe as Hanjiro Hanai, Master Kabuki actor. This film, though long, is not to be missed as it is a masterpiece acclaimed internationally. It was Nominated in the 2026 Academy Awards.
JAPAN in Japanese with English subtitles. Directed by Sang-il Lee. Runtime 2 HRS 50 MINS
