Kei Kumai
Directing·June 1, 1930·† May 23, 2007 — 76 years old·Nagano Prefecture, Japan
Kei Kumai (熊井 啓, Kumai Kei, 1 June 1930 – 23 May 2007) was a Japanese film director from Azumino, Nagano prefecture. After his studies in literature at Shinshu University, he began work as a director's assistant.
He won the Directors Guild of Japan New Directors Award for his first film, Nihon rettō, in 1965.[2] His 1972 film Shinobu Kawa was entered into the 8th Moscow International Film Festival.[3] His 1973 film Rise, Fair Sun was entered into the 24th Berlin International Film Festival.
Sandakan No. 8 received widespread acclaim for tackling the issue of a woman forced into prostitution in Borneo before the outbreak of World War II. The film was nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 48th Academy Awards.
Known For
Filmography · 34
2006What's a Director?2002The Sea Is WatchingDirector · Screenplay2001Darkness in the LightDirector · Screenplay1997To LoveDirector · Writer1995Deep RiverScreenplay · Director1992Luminous MossDirector · Writer1990Shikibu monogatariDirector · Screenplay1989Death of a Tea MasterDirector1986The Sea and PoisonDirector · Screenplay1981Willful MurderDirector1980An Ocean to CrossDirector1978Love and FaithDirector1976Cape of the NorthDirector · Screenplay1974Sandakan No. 8Director · Writer1973FantasiaDirector1973Rise, Fair SunDirector · Writer1972The Long DarknessDirector · Writer1970Apart from LifeWriter · Director1968The Sands of KurobeDirector · Screenplay1965A Chain of IslandsDirector · Screenplay1964The Long DeathDirector · Screenplay1963Sora no shita tōi yumeScreenplay1962Hitoribotchi no futari dagaScreenplay1962Sun and StarsScreenplay · Assistant Director1962Love in GinzaScreenplay1962Otoko to otoko no ikiru machiScreenplay1961PursuitScreenplay1961Seven ChallengersScreenplay1961Isseki NichoScreenplay1961Pacific PortersScreenplay1960The Call of the FoghornWriter1960The Cards Will TellScreenplay1959Wounded BeastScreenplay1953HiroshimaFirst Assistant Director