Storytellers
うたうひと
Sakai Ko, Hamaguchi Ryusuke
Japan/120min./2013
The third part of a trilogy focusing on the Tohoku region that is comprised of dialogues with victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Ideas on how to share experiences of the disaster with future generations, a challenge touched upon in the previous films The Sound of Waves and Voices from the Waves, is found in folk tales from the region. Co-directed by Sakai Ko and Hamaguchi Ryusuke.Folk storytellers Ito Masako, Sasaki Ken, and Sato Reiko gather at Kurikomayama in Miyagi Prefecture. Folklore scholar Ono Kazuko, founder of Miyagi Minwa no Kai, acts as interviewer as they tell a series of fantastic and outlandish tales, including the story of a girl who marries a monkey.
| Title in English | Storytellers |
|---|---|
| Title in Original Language | うたうひと |
| Director(s) | Sakai Ko, Hamaguchi Ryusuke |
| Director's Bio/Filmography | Ko Sakai Born 1979 in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. Currently based in Tokyo. Began producing his own film while a student at the Tokyo University o Agriculture. After graduating and entering the workforce, Sakai Ko entered a Graduate School of Film and New Media at the Tokyo University of the Arts in 2005. His thesis film was Creep (2007). His other work includes Home Sweet Home (2006). Currently based in Sendai and continuing to record Tohoku folklores in Miyagi with people in “Storytellers”(one of Tohoku Documentary trilogy). Ryusuke Hamaguchi Born 1978 in Kanagawa prefecture, Japan. Currently based in Kobe. After graduating from the Literture Department of Tokyo University and working as an assistant director for film and television, Hamaguchi entered the Guraduate School of Film and New Media at the Tokyo University of Arts. His thesis film was Passion (2008). He has directed several theatrical films including Intimacies (2012), and Touching the Skin of Eeriness (2013). Currently based in Kobe where he facilitates an improvisational acting workshop and is shooting a feature length film with participants as actors. |
| Year of Completion | 2013 |
| Nationality of the Film | Japan |
| Running Time | 120 min. |
| Aspect Ratio | Video: 16：9 |
| Color | Color |
| Screening Format | BDDVD |
| Shooting Locations | Miyagi |
| Shooting Dates/Periods | |
| Names of Characters | Ito Masako, Sasaki Ken, Sato Reiko, Ono Kazuko |
| Language of Commentary and Dialogue | Japanese, |
| Subtitles | English, |
| Date of First Public Screening | 2013/11/16 |
| Place of First Public Screening (Country) | |
| Date of First Public Screening in Japan | |
| Previous Screenings at Other Film Festivals and Events | YIDFF 2013 Perspectives Japan (Sky Perfect IDEHA Prize) |
| Staff Credits |
Photography: Iioka Sachiko, Kitagawa Yoshio, Sasaki Yasuyuki Sound: HWANG Young Chang Others：Assistant Editor: Fukuhara Yusuke |
| Producer | Serizawa Takashi, Aizawa Kumi (silent voice) |
| Distributor / Distribution Company | silent voice LLP |
| Official Website for the Film | http://silentvoice.jp/utauhito/ |
| Other Online Access to the film | http://www.silentvoice.jp/ |
| Screenings at the Past YIDFF Programs and Events | YIDFF 2013 |
