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The Written Face
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The Written Face

1995-09-01 · 89 min · ★ 8.0

Documentary · TV Movie · Fantasy

In Japanese theater, women's roles are traditionally played by men. The man playing the woman's role, the Onnagata, does not imitate the woman, as in the West, but tries to capture her significance. He need not stick close to his model, but draws far more from his own identity - a shift of value takes place, which is nonetheless not a step beyond. THE WRITTEN FACE is an attempt to offer an insight into the Japanese Kabuki star Tamasaburo Bando, one of the last defenders of this ancient and disappearing performing tradition.

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Production details

Directors
Daniel Schmid
Production companies
T&C Film Zurich, Eurospace, RSI
Countries
Japan, Switzerland
Status
Released

Top Cast

Tamasaburō Bandō VTamasaburō Bandō VSelf
Kazuo OhnoKazuo OhnoSelf
Kai ShishidoKai Shishido
Toshiya NagasawaToshiya Nagasawa
Asaji Tsutakiyokomatsu
Han TakeharaHan Takehara
Haruko SugimuraHaruko SugimuraSelf

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