YOHJI YAMAMOTO - COSTUME DESIGN

A self-proclaimed "Kitano-film freak", Yohji Yamamoto first collaborated with director Takeshi Kitano on BROTHER. For DOLLS, Yamamoto designed all costumes for the leading actors.

Born in Tokyo in 1943, Yamamoto launched his first line of clothing in 1977. His Paris debut in 1981 shocked the international fashion world with his innovative basic-color black collection. Since then, Yamamoto has based himself in Paris, and has repeatedly given fresh stimulus to international design. His numerous awards include France's "Medal of Honor" and the Fashion Group of America's "Designer of the Year".

Yamamoto recently published his book “Talking to Myself”, a collection of prose and photos reflecting his past 20 years as an international designer.

Yamamoto appeared in Wim Wender's 1989 documentary NOTEBOOK ON CITIES AND CLOTHES. He has also designed costumes for opera productions “Madame Butterfly" (France), “Tristan and Isolde” (Germany) and Ryuchi Sakamoto's "Life" (Japan).

JOE HISAISHI - MUSIC

Composer, producer, arranger and musician, Joe Hisaishi created the original scores of over 40 films. DOLLS is Hisaishi’s seventh collaboration with filmmaker Takeshi Kitano. He previously composed music for BROTHER, KIKUJIRO, A SCENE AT THE SEA, HANA-BI, SONATINE and KIDS RETURN (the last five won him Japanese “Academy Awards”).

Hisaishi began composing music for film in 1984 on the soundtrack of animator Hayao Miyazaki's NAUSICAA OF THE VALLEY OF THE WINDS. Since then, he has composed music for all Miyazaki works, including 2001's SPIRITED AWAY and 1997's PRINCESS MONONOKE.

Hisaishi made his directorial debut with 2001's QUARTET, which he also co-wrote and composed all music. The film was praised as Japan's first full-fledged music film. He also recently composed original music for French director Oliver Dahan’s 2001 film LE PETIT POUCET (TOM THUMB)

Born in 1950, accomplished pianist and keyboard player Hisaishi, has released numerous albums since recording his debut “Information” in 1982. His concerts have toured Japan numerous times and he has recorded with several international orchestras, including the London Philharmonic, Czech Philharmonic and Italian Citta di Ferrara Orchestra.

KATSUMI YANAGISHIMA – CINEMATOGRAPHER

DOLLS marks Katsumi Yanagishima’s eighth collaboration with Takeshi Kitano. Since 1990's BOILING POINT, Yanagishima has become one of Kitano's key crew by working on A SCENE AT THE SEA, SONATINE, GETTING ANY?, KIDS RETURN, KIKUJIRO and BROTHER. Yanagishima made his debut as a cinematographer on 1989's MOTTOMO ABUNAI DEKA (dir. Toru Kawashima). His other credits include 1995's MARKS (dir. Yoichi Sai), 1998's IKINAI (dir. Hiroshi Shimizu), 2000's BATTLE ROYALE (dir. Kinji Fukasaku) and 2001's GO (dir. Isao Yukisada).

HITOSHI TAKAYA – LIGHTING DESIGNER

Hitoshi Takaya has worked on all ten Takeshi Kitano-directed films. Takaya made his debut in 1983's KAGI (dir. Aktaka Kimata). His other credits include 1985's FIRE FESTIVAL (dir. Mitsuo Yanagimachi) 1987's SARABA ITOSHIKI HITOYO (dir. Masato Harada), 1993's WE ARE NOT ALONE (dir. Yojiro Takita), 1998's IKINAI (dir. Hiroshi Shimizu), 1999's DEAD OR ALIVE: HANZAISHA (dir. Takashi Miike), 2001's TAIGA NO ITTEKI (dir. Seishiro Koyama) and 2001's GO (dir. Isao Yukisada).

NORIHIRO ISODA – PRODUCTION DESIGNER

Norihiro Isoda has collaborated with Takeshi Kitano on six films: DOLLS, BROTHER, KIKUJIRO, HANA-BI, KIDS RETURN and GETTING ANY?. Before cinema, Isoda worked several years as a graphic designer. His other film credits include: 1993's MANY HAPPY RETURNS (dir. Toshihiro Tenma), 1995's TOKYO KYODAI (dir. Jun Ichikawa), 1998's FUKIGENNA KAJITSU (dir. Katsuo Naruse), 1998's IKINAI (dir. Hiroshi Shimizu) and 1998's GIVE IT ALL (dir. Itsumichi Isomura).

SENJI HORIUCHI – SOUND DESIGNER

Senji Horiuchi has worked on all ten Takeshi Kitano-directed films. He made his debut in 1988 as chief sound engineer on KAITO JIGOMA: ONGAKU-HEN (dir. Makoto Wada). His other credits include 1989's ZATO-ICHI (dir. Shintaro Katsu), 1993's WE ARE NOT ALONE (dir. Yojiro Takita), 1998's IKINAI (dir. Hiroshi Shimizu), 2001's OTOGIRI-SO (dir. Ten Shimoyama) and 2001's MISUZU (dir. Takumi Igarashi).

CREW

Director-Writer-Editor Takeshi Kitano Cinematographer Katsumi Yanagijima Lighting Designer Hitoshi Takaya Sound Designer Senji Horiuchi Art Direction Norihiro Isoda Costume Designer Yohji Yamamoto Music Joe Hisaishi Producers Masayuki Mori and Takio Yoshida

A production of Bandai Visual (Japan), Tokyo FM (Japan), TV Tokyo (Japan) and Office Kitano (Japan)

Technical Information: 2002 Japan 113' Color 35mm - 1:85 Dolby SRD
 

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