Theatre 1 (2012)
An intimate observational documentary tracing the creative world of Japan's leading playwright Oriza Hirata and his Seinendan theatre company.
Theatre 1 - Movie Information
- Original Title: 演劇1
- Release Year: 2012
- Directed by: Kazuhiro Soda
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Documentary
- Runtime: 2h 52m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 21, 2012 (France - festival)
- Alternative Titles: Engeki 1 (JP)
- Production Companies: Laboratory X
- Production Countries: Japan
Theatre 1 - Plot
Theatre 1 (Observational Film Series #3) is a feature length documentary, which closely depicts the world of Oriza Hirata, Japan's leading playwright and director, and his theatrical company, Seinendan. By depicting them, the film leads the audience to revisit fundamental but timely questions: What is theatre? Why do human beings act?
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Theatre 1 - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Kazuhiro Soda
Main Cast
- Oriza Hirata
- Koji Fukada
- Kanji Furutachi
- Kotaro Shiga
- Hiroko Matsuda
- Kenji Yamauchi
- Natsuko Hori
- Makiko Murata
- Yuriko Ogino
- Ryuta Furuya
Producers
- Kiyoko Kashiwagi
- Kazuhiro Soda
Theatre 1 - FAQs
What is Theatre 1 about?
Theatre 1 is an observational documentary that immerses viewers in the world of Oriza Hirata, Japan's foremost playwright and director, and his theatre company Seinendan. The film raises profound questions about the nature of performance and why human beings are drawn to acting in the first place.
Who directed Theatre 1?
Theatre 1 was directed by Kazuhiro Soda, the Japanese filmmaker known for his observational documentary style. Soda also served as cinematographer and editor on the film, maintaining his hands-on, fly-on-the-wall approach that defines his Observational Film Series.
Is Theatre 1 part of a documentary series?
Yes, Theatre 1 is the third entry in Kazuhiro Soda's Observational Film Series. The series is defined by Soda's immersive, unscripted approach to documentary filmmaking, where he embeds himself within a subject's world and captures life as it unfolds without a predetermined narrative structure.
Who is Oriza Hirata in Theatre 1?
Oriza Hirata is the central figure of Theatre 1. He is widely regarded as Japan's leading contemporary playwright and theatre director, and the founder of Seinendan, an influential Tokyo-based theatre company. The documentary follows him and his troupe as they rehearse, perform, and reflect on their craft.
Where can you watch Theatre 1?
Theatre 1 is available to watch through DocAlliance Films, where you can access it via a flat-rate subscription or rent it. DocAlliance Films is a curated platform specializing in art-house and festival documentaries from around the world.
When was Theatre 1 released?
Theatre 1 had its festival premiere on November 21, 2012, in France. The film was produced in Japan by Laboratory X and represents Kazuhiro Soda's continued exploration of Japanese cultural and social worlds through his distinctive observational documentary method.
How long is Theatre 1?
Theatre 1 runs for 172 minutes, just under three hours. The generous runtime is characteristic of Kazuhiro Soda's observational style, which favors unhurried immersion over tight editing, allowing viewers to genuinely inhabit the rhythms of Seinendan's theatrical world.
What are similar films to Theatre 1?
If Theatre 1 resonates with you, you might also enjoy Passing Strange (2009), Hamilton: One Shot to Broadway (2017), and Sakura-tai Chiru (1988), all of which explore theatre and performance through documentary or filmed-stage lenses. All That Breathes (2022) is another acclaimed observational documentary worth discovering.
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