Takeshi Kitano

Birthday: 18 January 1947, Tokyo, Japan

Height: 165 cm

Takeshi Kitano originally studied to become an engineer, but was thrown out of school for rebellious behavior. He learned comedy, singing and dancing from famed comedian Senzaburô Fukami. Working as ...Show More

[on Akira Kurosawa] ...the ideal definition of cinema: a succession of perfect images. And Kurosawa Show more [on Akira Kurosawa] ...the ideal definition of cinema: a succession of perfect images. And Kurosawa is the only director who has attained that. Hide

It is OK to be laughed at on stage or on TV, doing your act, but I didn't liked to be laughed at in Show more It is OK to be laughed at on stage or on TV, doing your act, but I didn't liked to be laughed at in public. I didn't wanted to be told, I was a funny guy in my private life. Hide

When learning to play the piano, one studies various types of pieces. When one acquires the basic kn Show more When learning to play the piano, one studies various types of pieces. When one acquires the basic knowledge of these pieces, one has reached sonatine. It's not really control, but it marks the end of first stage of training. Hide

The film is ambiguous, an ambiguity that reflects on Japan today, and a world in which nothing is cl Show more The film is ambiguous, an ambiguity that reflects on Japan today, and a world in which nothing is clear. Once I made the film [Takeshis' (2005)], I realized it was about this feeling of vague disquiet in Japan and in the rest of the world, a feeling that is gaining on us, getting less vague. Hide

When I write a script, I have the entire film in my head, so when we start shooting, I just do it. I Show more When I write a script, I have the entire film in my head, so when we start shooting, I just do it. Im more interested in the editing process, so I tend to shoot in a hurry. Maybe you don't always have enough footage, but how you play around with it, is what is interesting. Hide

I don't like the way Tarantino treats violence. Pulp Fiction (1994) doesn't show realistic violence, Show more I don't like the way Tarantino treats violence. Pulp Fiction (1994) doesn't show realistic violence, but to show violence realistically, you need stamina. It's not easy. Hide

It took me ten years of playing serial killers and rapists to be perceived as a serious actor amongs Show more It took me ten years of playing serial killers and rapists to be perceived as a serious actor amongst the Japanese public. Hide

One thing I hate in movies is when the camera starts circling around the characters. I find that tot Show more One thing I hate in movies is when the camera starts circling around the characters. I find that totally fake. Hide

...[Violent Cop] was shot a long time ago, when I didn't knew how to make a film. At least now, I am Show more ...[Violent Cop] was shot a long time ago, when I didn't knew how to make a film. At least now, I am beginning to grasp what filmmaking is all about, gradually, so I watched it again the other day on video, so that I could comment on it during the interview, as I had forgotten almost everything about it. Frankly, I couldn't bear to watch it. It's like being forced to watch yourself when you were a kid. I felt so embarrassed. Hide

I wanted to make fun of my own jokes, and send them up. So I made up new routines which were more ou Show more I wanted to make fun of my own jokes, and send them up. So I made up new routines which were more outrageous than the silliest ones I usually invent. I wanted to make myself ludicrous to the point where viewers would say, 'This guy's had it'. I enjoyed my self-mockery so much I totally lost myself in it. Hide

We've all had those nightmares. But individuals don't make war. Society makes war. We've all had those nightmares. But individuals don't make war. Society makes war.

Comedians are supposed to make people laugh by doing things they're not allowed to do. Once they sta Show more Comedians are supposed to make people laugh by doing things they're not allowed to do. Once they start taking about family values and humanity, they're not comedians anymore. Hide

I think my accident may have been a blessing in disguise. It put me in a totally different frame of Show more I think my accident may have been a blessing in disguise. It put me in a totally different frame of mind. It made me feel good about doing comedy again. I'm very happy with the way things are going now. Hide

I wanted to make a movie that can't be pigeonholed. I want audiences to come out of this film not kn Show more I wanted to make a movie that can't be pigeonholed. I want audiences to come out of this film not knowing what to say or what to think. [on making Takeshis' (2005)] Hide

My characters are oppressed, under pressure and irritated. And this impression probably affects the Show more My characters are oppressed, under pressure and irritated. And this impression probably affects the public, who walk out wondering, what next? Where do we go from here? Hide

Takeshi Kitano's FILMOGRAPHY

All as Actor (25) as Director (3) as Creator (3)

Izo (2004)

Takeshis Castle - Season 1

Sonatine

Most Extreme Elimination Challenge - Season 4

The Forgotten Army - Azaadi ke liye - Season 1

Most Extreme Elimination Challenge - Season 2

Takeshis Castle - Season 1

Ghost in the Shell

Gonin [Audio: Japanese]

Battle Royale II (Batoru rowaiaru II: Chinkonka)