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The Written Face

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.

Top Cast

  • Tamasaburō Bandō V

    Tamasaburō Bandō V

    Self

  • Kazuo Ohno

    Kazuo Ohno

    Self

  • Kai Shishido

    Kai Shishido

  • Toshiya Nagasawa

    Toshiya Nagasawa

  • Asaji Tsutakiyokomatsu

    Asaji Tsutakiyokomatsu

  • Han Takehara

    Han Takehara

  • Haruko Sugimura

    Haruko Sugimura

    Self

Overview

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.

Rating

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