Takeshi Kitano
기타노 다케시

Also Known As: きたのたけし
Job:Actor, Director, Producer, Writer, Editor
Date of birth:January 18, 1948
Country:Japan


About Takeshi Kitano
Kitano started a study for engineer, but was kicked off school for rebellious behaviour. He learns comedy, singing and dancing from the famous comedian Senzaburo Fukami. Working as a lift boy on a nightclub with comic sketches and strip tease dancing, he takes his chance when the comedian suddenly falls ill, and goes on stage. With a friend he forms the comic duo 'The Two Beat' (his artist name Beat Takeshi comes from this period), which becomes very popular on Japanese television. Next, Kitano starts an acting career, and when the intended director of _Sono otoko, kyobo ni tsuki (1989) falls ill, takes over directing as well. Immediately he sets out to make a second gangster movie, _3-4x jugatsu (1990)_. Just after finishing _Minna yatteruka (1994)_, Kitano is involved in a heavy motor accident. He barely comes out alive, and changes his manner of life, becoming an active painter. In his movies this same change can be felt by a more important role for esthetics in movies like _Hana-bi (1997)_ and _Kikujiro no natsu (1999)_.

Born in Tokyo in 1947, Takeshi Kitano, also known as “Beat” Takeshi (an artist name he continues to use today), entered show business in 1972 as a comic duo ‘The Two Beat’ formed together with a friend that became a great hit on Japanese television at that time. Takeshi’s distinctive art of speech and idiosyncratic perspective have soon remarked him as one of the most popular entertainers in Japan during the 1980s. In 1989, he made his directorial debut with his first feature . One of his best accomplishments as a director, has won an international attention by receiving Golden Lion Award from the Venice Film Festival in 1997. Takeshi Kitano has a close connection with PIFF as his features Hana-bi(97), Kikujiro(99) and Brother(00) were each screened at the 2nd, the 4th and the 5th PIFF. He was the first to be invited as a guest of honor for PIFF’s special event, hand-printing ceremony as well.