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Inu-Oh
Stories from medieval Japan are infused with a variety of musical genres, fascinating dances and a dash of fantasy: Inu-Oh is a film about two friends who go from being outsiders to stars with their music and dance.
Japan in the 14th century: Tomona, a blind musician who plays the traditional string instrument biwa, meets Inu-Oh, a passionate dancer. Inu-Oh has been disfigured since birth and hides behind a mask. After their first meeting, the two join forces and turn traditional Noh theatre upside down. Increasingly spectacular performances bring them closer to the root of their past, and the more Inu-Oh dances, the more his body changes…
Masaaki Yuasa’s film retells historical events in a new light, including the Battle of Dan-no-ura and the beginnings of Noh theatre. Little is known about the life of Inu-Oh, whose name literally means “King of Dogs”. The film is based on the book of the same name by Hideo Furukawa, which revisits Inu-Oh’s life. And Yuasa certainly doesn’t let the story gather dust: a traditional setting soon morphs into a musical celebration. As with Noh theatre, music is at the centre, and the production is as exhilarating as a rock opera.
The breath-taking performances of Inu-Oh and Tomona not only shook up ancient Japan: the film by Studio Science SARU, with music by Otomo Yoshihide, was nominated for the Golden Globes, among other awards, and was honoured with the Satoshi Kon Award for Best Animated Feature at the Fantasia International Film Festival in Montréal in 2022. (Edith Simmen)
Japan in the 14th century: Tomona, a blind musician who plays the traditional string instrument biwa, meets Inu-Oh, a passionate dancer. Inu-Oh has been disfigured since birth and hides behind a mask. After their first meeting, the two join forces and turn traditional Noh theatre upside down. Increasingly spectacular performances bring them closer to the root of their past, and the more Inu-Oh dances, the more his body changes…
Masaaki Yuasa’s film retells historical events in a new light, including the Battle of Dan-no-ura and the beginnings of Noh theatre. Little is known about the life of Inu-Oh, whose name literally means “King of Dogs”. The film is based on the book of the same name by Hideo Furukawa, which revisits Inu-Oh’s life. And Yuasa certainly doesn’t let the story gather dust: a traditional setting soon morphs into a musical celebration. As with Noh theatre, music is at the centre, and the production is as exhilarating as a rock opera.
The breath-taking performances of Inu-Oh and Tomona not only shook up ancient Japan: the film by Studio Science SARU, with music by Otomo Yoshihide, was nominated for the Golden Globes, among other awards, and was honoured with the Satoshi Kon Award for Best Animated Feature at the Fantasia International Film Festival in Montréal in 2022. (Edith Simmen)
Info
Duration 98'
Country JP, 2022