Ketelhuis Expat
Following the death of his father, the head of a Yakuza gang, Kikuo is taken under the wing of the famous kabuki actor Hanjiro Hanai. Together with Shunsuke, Hanjiro’s only son, he becomes his apprentice. The two young men grow up like brothers and decide to dedicate their lives—with all the necessary competition—to the art of kabuki. For decades, their relationship and devotion to the art form are put to the test, driven by their shared desire for stage fame.
★★★★
“Gorgeous film about ambition and traditional theater is a phenomenon in Japan” – NRC
★★★★
“Almost enchanting, beautifully shot kabuki performances, with remarkable attention to detail” – VPRO Cinema
Kokuho was nominated earlier this year for the Oscar for Best Makeup and Hairstyling and was also selected for the Cannes Film Festival (Directors’ Fortnight). In Japan, the film became the highest-grossing Japanese live-action film of all time and won a staggering ten Japanese Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor.
