Director Sang-il Lee on 'Kokuho': Kabuki, Rivalry, and the Shadows Behind Artistry

The World of Kabuki and 'Kokuho'

• 🎭 The film 'Kokuho' delves into the hereditary world of Kabuki, a centuries-old Japanese stage art traditionally performed only by men.
• 🎯 It tells the story of a man born into a Yakuza family who becomes a "living national treasure" within the Kabuki tradition.
• 💡 Director Sang-il Lee was particularly fascinated by onagata (male actors who play female roles) and the dedication required to achieve such mastery.

Crafting a Realistic Kabuki Film

• 🎬 Mounting the film involved immense pressure to respect Kabuki traditions, with ordinary movie actors undertaking rigorous training.
• 🛠️ Actors trained from the basics of Kabuki performance, focusing on posture, hand movements, and head tilts, practicing relentlessly to achieve realism.
• 💬 The film aims to showcase not only Kabuki itself but also the human drama surrounding Kabuki actors, including the support they receive from families and women.

Cinematography and International Appeal

• 🎥 Director Lee chose French-Tunisian cinematographer Sophian Elfani to bring a fresh perspective to Kabuki, free from preconceptions.
• 👁️ The goal was to capture the actor's inner self, particularly through eye movements, reflecting internal chaos or confusion rather than just the outward emotion of the role.
• 🌍 Non-Japanese audiences can expect to connect with universal themes of family, friendship, artistic sacrifice, and the pursuit of excellence.

Deeper Meanings Behind the Art

• 🖼️ 'Kokuho' offers a glimpse into the deep shadows and sacrifices that lie behind the beauty and artistry seen on stage.
• 🎭 This exploration of the hidden struggles behind performance is seen as universally linked to performing arts across cultures, such as opera or Shakespearean plays.