7 Movies Starring Akira Emoto

Sumo Do, Sumo Don't

Sumo Do, Sumo Don't

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1992-11-06

Languages:

Japanese

Countries:

Japan

Runtime:

105 min

IMDB Ratings:

7.3 (483 Reviews)

Director:

Masayuki Suo

Genres:

ComedySport

Fullplot:

Yet another tradition in the tradition of "ragtag misfits" in Japanese comedy...Sumo Do, Sumo Don't tells the story of a university sumo club in Japan. In today's Japan, the younger generation is more interested in "Western" sports like baseball and basketball. Professor Anayama, a former university sumo champion, blackmails graduating (and slim) student Shuhei into joining the decimated university team, or he doesn't graduate. Along with a pro wrestler, an unpopular, chubby guy, and a gaijin (white guy), the team begins training for competition, even though none of them cares about sumo at all. Gradually, they develop a love and respect for the traditional sport.

The Eel

The Eel

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1998-08-21

Languages:

Japanese

Countries:

Japan

Runtime:

117 min

Rated:

NOT RATED

IMDB Ratings:

7.4 (4174 Reviews)

Director:

Shèhei Imamura

Genres:

Drama

Cast:

Writer:

Shèhei Imamura

Daisuke Tengan

Motofumi Tomikawa

Akira Yoshimura (novel)

Fullplot:

White-collar worker Yamashita finds out that his wife has a lover visiting her when he's away, suddenly returns home and kills her. After eight years in prison, he returns to live in a small village, opens a barber shop (he was trained as a barber in prison) and talks almost to no-one except for the eel he "befriended" in prison. One day he finds the unconscious body of Keiko, who attempted suicide and reminds him of his wife. She starts to work at his shop, but he doesn't let her become close to him.

Dr. Akagi

Dr. Akagi

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1999-01-15

Languages:

Japanese, German

Countries:

Japan, France

Runtime:

129 min

IMDB Ratings:

7.5 (1195 Reviews)

Director:

Shèhei Imamura

Cast:

Writer:

Shèhei Imamura

Ango Sakaguchi (novel)

Daisuke Tengan

Fullplot:

Dr. Akagi, a rural physician in Japan during WWII, wages a one-man crusade against hepetitis, earning him a reputation as "Dr. Liver." But his fanatic campaign brings him into disfavor with the Japanese army, and as the war seems more and more hopeless for the Japanese, Dr. Akagi finds himself increasingly a scapegoat.

The Eel

The Eel

Basic Info:

Released Date:

1998-08-21

Languages:

Japanese

Countries:

Japan

Runtime:

117 min

Rated:

NOT RATED

IMDB Ratings:

7.4 (4174 Reviews)

Director:

Shèhei Imamura

Genres:

Drama

Cast:

Writer:

Shèhei Imamura

Daisuke Tengan

Motofumi Tomikawa

Akira Yoshimura (novel)

Fullplot:

White-collar worker Yamashita finds out that his wife has a lover visiting her when he's away, suddenly returns home and kills her. After eight years in prison, he returns to live in a small village, opens a barber shop (he was trained as a barber in prison) and talks almost to no-one except for the eel he "befriended" in prison. One day he finds the unconscious body of Keiko, who attempted suicide and reminds him of his wife. She starts to work at his shop, but he doesn't let her become close to him.

Life Can Be So Wonderful

Life Can Be So Wonderful

Basic Info:

Released Date:

2007-03-31

Languages:

Japanese

Countries:

Japan

Runtime:

70 min

IMDB Ratings:

6.3 (35 Reviews)

Genres:

Drama

Fullplot:

Villain

Villain

Basic Info:

Released Date:

2010-09-11

Languages:

Japanese

Countries:

Japan

Runtime:

139 min

IMDB Ratings:

7.3 (852 Reviews)

Director:

Sang-il Lee

Genres:

Drama

Cast:

Writer:

Shèichi Yoshida (based on the novel by)

Shèichi Yoshida (screenplay)

Sang-il Lee (screenplay)

Fullplot:

A young woman's murder provokes reflection on the ugliness and villainy of modern society.

Postcard

Postcard

Basic Info:

Released Date:

2011-08-06

Languages:

Japanese

Countries:

Japan

Runtime:

114 min

IMDB Ratings:

7.1 (157 Reviews)

Director:

Kaneto Shindè

Fullplot:

Toward the end of World War II, middle-aged soldier Keita is entrusted with a postcard from a comrade who is sure he will die in battle. After the war ends, Keita visits his comrade's wife Yuko and bears witness to the tragic life she has led. This year's Oscar entry from Japan finds SHINDO in top form and his 49th and reportedly last film as fresh and poignant as ever.

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