"... remarkably affecting and surprising... a theatrical experience..."
Vincent Canby, New York Times

"...has been accomplished with rare taste, taste that brings the subject to life rather than embalming it... the movie lives and breathes."
Jay Scott, Globe & Mail

Description

In 2003 UNESCO proclaimed Bunraku a “masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity.”

The Bunraku Theatre Ensemble, and numerous of its players have been declared Living National Treasures of Japan. THE LOVERS’EXILE is the only filmed adaptation of a classic Bunraku performance.

Now on DVD

DVD Special Features include:

FILMING BUNRAKU, a 12 minute documentary
STILLS GALLERY

BOOKLET includes:

• Introduction by Jean-Louis Barrault
• A Note on Bunraku, by Susan Sontag
• The Tradition of Bunraku, by Barbara Curtis Adachi
• The Art of Bunraku: Discussion with Dr. Northrop Frye
• Synopsis
• Monzaemon Chikamatsu
• Performers
• Notes on the Production
  

THE LOVERS' EXILE is performed entirely by the Bunraku Ensemble of Osaka, widely considered the most sophisticated puppet theatre in the world.

Bunraku combines the arts of puppetry, joruri dramatic recitation, and musical accompaniment of the samisen. Each puppet is manipulated by three handlers; the resulting ensemble effort of puppeteers and musicians creates not only a sense of heightened realism, but also a dreamlike delicacy and complexity of movement

THE LOVERS' EXILE is an adaptation of MEIDO NO HIKYAKU by classic Japanese dramatist Monzaemon Chikamatsu (1673-1724). The story, one of Chikamatsu's domestic tragedies, recounts the love between a penniless clerk and an indentured prostitute.

THE LOVERS' EXILE includes performances by some of the most important Bunraku performers of the late 20th century.

PUPPET HANDLERS

Tamao Yoshida (CHUBEI) Living National Treasure of Japan
Minosuke Yoshida III (UMEGAWA) Living National Treasure of Japan
Kanjuro Kiritake II (HACHIEMON & MAGOEMON) 1920-1986, National Treasure of Japan

NARRATORS

Oritayu Takemoto V, now Tsunadayu IX, Living National Treasure of Japan
Koshijidayu Takemoto IV, 1913-2002 National Treasure of Japan
Mojidayu Takemoto IX, now Sumitayu VII, Living National Treasure of Japan

SHAMISEN PLAYERS

Enza Tsuruzawa V, 1914-2001, National Treasure of Japan
Seiji Tsuruzawa
Kinshi Nozawa IV, 1934-1989, National Treasure of Japan

Credits

directed produced and edited by Marty Gross
photographed by Kozo Okazaki and Hideaki Kobayashi
subtitles by Donald Richie and Marty Gross
music editing by Carl Zittrer
music recording supervised by Toru Takemitsu

Formats

Available in DVD, VHS and video broadcast formats, NTSC or PAL

For More Information

Contact Marty Gross Productions, Inc.
videos@martygrossfilms.com or tel. 416 536 3355