Whispering of the Gods English: 3.Cast

Arai Hirofumi (Rou)

a< Rou > Arai Hirofumi

Arai made his film debut in 2001 with director Yukisada Isao's "Go." In Toyoda Toshiaki's "Blue Spring,"(02) his performance as sidekick to Matsuda Ryuhei's lead character had a presence belying his short experience, and won him the Best New Actor award from the Takasaki Film Festival. Since then he has appeared in a steady stream of well-received films, among them Matsuoka Joji's "Sayonara Kuro," Inudo Isshin's "Josee, the Tiger and the Fish," Arato Genjiro's "Akame 48 Waterfalls," (all 2003) and Watanabe Kensaku's " Loved Gun. " (04) In Sai Yoichi's "Blood and Bones" (04) he played Yan Sogil, writer of the novel upon which the film is based, and established his reputation as an actor with a strong performance alongside such luminaries as Kitano Takeshi and Suzuki Kyoka. Following his work in Inoue Yasuo's "The Neighbor in #13," he now takes on his first starring role.

a

Hirota Léona (Sister Theresa)

a

< Sister Theresa > Hirota Léona

As the first Japanese student to enroll in Belgium's National Academy of Arts "MUDRA," she spent three years studying ballet and other arts; through this process she obtained a thorough grounding in method acting. Active mainly in film and television, in 1991 she acted in Suzuki Seijun's "Yumeji " and in Sakamoto Junji's "Checkmate," for which she received the Best Supporting Actress award at the Yokohama Film Festival. Other film appearences include Bando Tamasaburo's "Operating Room," (92) Wakamatsu Koji's "Endless Waltz," (95) Koichi Saito's "Bara Hotel," (96) and the French film "Milles bornes." In 2000 she directed "Drug Garden." In the role of Theresa, torn between the demands of ethics and of the body, she delivers a performance replete with solemn beauty.

a

Sawara Megumi (Kyoko)

a

< Kyoko> Sawara Megumi

Director Omori Tatsushi, having recognized her intense enthusiasm, selected Sawara for this major role. Sawara plays as Kyoko, expres sing well the jumble of purity and ferocity that lies inside her.

a

Kimura Keita (Toru)

aa

a

< Toru > Kimura Keita

Kimura makes his acting debut with this film, executing his difficult role as an adolesent, with distinctive sensitivity and tone.

Omori Nao (Ukawa)

< Ukawa > Omori Nao

Since his debut in 1993, Omori has worked in a variety of fields; he has acted in films of all genres, acted in theatre, television, and commercials. In 2005, he made his international debut in the French film "DEMONLOVER." He has made numerous apperances in films--"Ichi the Killer,"(2001) "Out,"(2002) "Vibrator," and "Iden&Tity"(2003), just to name a few. He plays the role of Ukawa, an insidious colleague of Rou's, under the direction of his brother Tatsushi.

Tsuwa Takayuki (Kita)

< Kita >Tsuwa Takayuki

Tsuwa makes his debut with this film.

Dairaku Genta （Scout Master）

< Scoutmaster > Dairaku Genta

Following his musical carrer in Kyoto, Dairaku composes music for, and co-directs "Kami-sama no ui yatsu,"(1998) with Fujiwara Akira. He has also acted in " Blue Spring,"(2002) "Nine Souls," and "Akame 48 Waterfalls." (2003)

Yamamoto Masashi (Brother Akabane)

< Brother Akabane > Yamamoto Masashi

Yamamoto is an internationally recognized film director, known for his distinctive style in films such as "Yami no Kaanibaru,"(1982) "Robinson no Niwa,"(1987) "Tenamonya Konekushon,"(1990) and "Janku Hu-do." (1998)

Miura Akifumi (Arakawa)

< Arakawa > Miura Akifumi

Since his debut in 2000, Miura has appeared in a number of well-recieved films, such as "Waterboys,"(2001) "69,"(2004) and "Rindarindarinda."(2005) Miura is scheduled to appear in many future releases.

Maro Akaji (Elderly Shopkeeper)

< Elderly Shopkeeper > Maro Akaji

In 1972 Maro founded "Dairakudakan," a butoh troupe; he has become internationally renowned as a butoh master. Maro has also appeared in many films, consistently executing his overwhelming presence and distinctive looks. As a key player in Arato produced films, he has appeared in "Akame 48 Waterfalls,"(2003) "Zigeunerweisen,"(1980) and "Knockout."(1989)

Ishibashi Renji (Komiya)

<Komiya> Ishibashi Renji

Ishibashi is leader of the "Dainana Byoutou" theater troupe. He is active in commercials, film and television. He has won many acting prizes, including Japan Academy, Kinema Junpo, and other Best Supporting Actor awards for Kuroki Kazuo's" Ronin-gai," and Wakamatsu Koji's" Ware ni utsu yoi ari."(1990) His very individual and assured performances have made him a favorite to many directors. His best-known films include Kuroki's" The Assassination of Ryoma,"(1974) Fukusaki Kinji's "Triple Cross,"(1992) Miike Takashi's " The Bird People in China," (1998) Onchi Hideo's "Warabi no kou,"(2003) Morisaki Azuma's"Niwatori wa hadashi da,"(2004) and Yukisada Isao's "Year One in the North."(2005)

a

Sato Kei (Father Togawa)

<Father Togawa > Sato Kei

A graduate of the Actor's Gym. Sato made his film debut under director Kobayashi Masako in parts 3 and 4 of the epic "The Human Condition."(1959) He then moves on to act in Oshima Nagisa's works, such as "Cruel Story of Youth," "The Sun's Burial," (1960) and "Violence at Noon." (66) He has appeared in numerous films, winning the Kinema Junpo Best Actor Award in 1971 for both Oshima's "The Ceremony"and Kuroki Kazuo's "Nippon no akuryo." His portrayal of characters--of combining intelligence with intensity--has earned him many fans. His 1980 performance in the theatrical version of Inoue Hisashi's "Iihatoobo no geki ressha" won him an award at the 15th annual Kinokuniya Drama Awards. More recently he served as narrator of Oshima's 1999 film "Taboo."

a

Photography: Emori Yasuyuki

Whispering of the Gods English

携帯URL