Takeshi Kitano is a true all-round talent. He is a director, author, columnist, poet, stand-up comedian, entertainer, painter and actor. In Japan he is a super star and became internationally known with HANA-BI – FIREWORKS, for which he won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival in 1997. This was followed by KIKOJIRO NO NATSU, which screened in competition at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival and then had its German premiere at the 33rd Hof International Film Festival:
Eight-year-old Masao lives with his grandmother in Tokyo. His parents are said to have died in a car accident. When Masao finds a photo of his mother, he decides to go out and find her. So he sets off on his own through the Japanese province, where he comes across the small-time crook Kikujiro. A fateful encounter that leads the two to the most bizarre characters and extraordinary situations.
The film is a true HoF classic, and one which can be re-discovered in the ARTE media library from 31 March 2021 to 29 April 2021 – broadcast on Wednesday, 31 March 2021 at 10:55 pm.
