Theatrical
A documentary on Juro Kara and the Karagumi Theatre Company
『シアトリカル 唐十郎と劇団唐組の記録』
Release Date: December 1, 2007
Running Time: 102 minutes
Director: Arata Oshima
Exective producer: Shinji Kashiwai Arata Oshima
Producer: Sayuki Oho
Cinematographer: Hitoshi Sakurada
Editor: Junichi Saitou
Sound: Hajime Takagi
【Story】
In 1967, visionary playwright Juro Kara sparked a theatrical revolution with his Red Tent performance at Hanazono Shrine in Shinjuku. Forty years later, at the age of 67, his passion for the theatre remains undiminished. His relentless, almost obsessive approach to theatre-making is still very much alive.
Drawn to his talent, 14 members of the Karagumi theatre troupes – with an average age of 30 – have gathered around him. While they train as actors, they are also undergoing the demanding process of embracing and enduring the overwhelming presence of their leader, Juro Kara. Each member is not only a performer but also takes on roles in production, art direction, lighting and sound. Even outside of the theatre, they are expected to meet Kara’s unpredictable demands – whether at parties or in everyday life.
From New Year’s celebrations and actor auditions to 40 days of rehearsals, sleepless nights building sets, raising the Red Tent on tour, and living together at a training camp – this documentary captures it all. From the writing of the new play in the fall of 2006 to the opening day in the spring of 2007, the process of creating a play showed Kara and his troupe's passion for acting that can only be described as incredible.
Juro Kara and his young followers continue to run on the path they believe in, completely unaffected by the waves of this era of economic supremacy and the disparity of society. They act, talk, yell, laugh, and explode with energy – always in a completely theatrical way. What has the camera captured: the truth or a daydream? This film is a record of the soul of one of Japan’s most vital intangible cultural heritage.
【Awards & Recognition】
Winner of the Documentary Award at the 17th Japan Film Critics Awards
Ranked #1 in audience satisfaction by Pia magazine among all films released in the first week of December 2007
【Director Profile】
Arata Oshima. Born in 1969. After graduating from Waseda University in 1995, he joined Fuji Television and was involved in the production of documentary programs. In 1999 he became a freelance video director. He has directed more than 40 TV programs and produced more than 30 TV programs, focusing on documentaries of various genres such as writers, actors, athletes, musicians, chefs, educators, doctors, and politicians. In 2009, he founded the video production company Netzgen. In recent years, he has been active mainly in movies, and has directed 4 films and produced 7 films. One of his well-known works is "Why You Can’t Be Prime Minister" (2020), which won three film awards. Produced works include “Ramen Heads” (2017), which depicts Japanese ramen culture and was screened at the HOT DOCS Canadian International Documentary Festival and the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, ”I Go Gaga, My Dear” (2018), which highlights the harsh reality of nursing care for the elderly with dementia and has been screened in five countries.
His father is Nagisa Oshima, a world-famous film director known for “In the Realm of the Senses” (1976) and “Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence” (1983).
