Directed by: Nobuo Nakagawa
1982
/ 78 minutes
/ Unclassified 15+
Set during the Edo period, The Living Koheiji is director Nobuo Nakagawa’s final film. In this theatrical ghost story, unpopular kabuki actor Kohata Koheiji is desperately in love with his best friend’s wife. After a jealous feud leads to Koheiji’s unexpected death, he hauntingly reappears to his best friend Nako Takuro, whose grief and guilt leave him adrift in a world between dreams and reality—testing the strength of his wife’s love.
Based on Suzuki Senzaburo’s 1924 play, Nakagawa’s film adaptation upholds the original kabuki style of short, poetic dialogue, along with traditional kabuki instruments and songs, in order to convey this mysterious, eerie tale.
FREE JFF Classics Film
NFSA: This film is no longer screening at NFSA. Instead, we will be offering a second screening of Black Cat Mansion. Please go to the Black Cat Mansion page for information. We deeply apologise for any inconvenience caused.
AGNSW: Free admission. Tickets available outside the Domain Theatre from one hour before each screening. A small allocation of early-bird tickets can be booked in advance from QTIX (pre-bookings available from 23 September, 10am)
Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney
Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney
Director: Nobuo Nakagawa
Screenplay: Nobuo Nakagawa
Director of Photography: Higuchi Ikio
Art Director: Nishioka Yoshinobu and Kamon Ryoichi
Music: Fukuhara Kiyohiko, Semba Kiyohiko and Okamoto Miyafuji
Based on: a play by Suzuki Senzaburo
Producer: Isoda Keiji and Sasaki Fumio
Cast: Fujima Fumihiko, Ishibashi Shoji and Miyashita Junko
Genre: Special Series
Format: 35mm colour