RELIGION

Shaka (English title:"Buddha")

Buddha1961 Japan 156min. color 35mm
Japanese
Directed by Kenji Misumi
Written by Fuji Yahiro
Music by Akira Ifukube
Music played by Tokyo symphony orchestra
Starring: Kojiro Hongo, Shitaro Katsu, Raizo Ichikawa, Fujiko Yamamoto, Machiko Kyo, Hiroshi Kawaguchi, Tamao Nakamura, Junko Kano

"In the heavens, in the world, only I am holy." BC 5th century, in India, Siddhattha who is a prince of small country found the people's sad circumstances and inconsistency of Brahmanism. Then he threw away his wealthy life and went on a trip of ascetic practices. Siddhattha, beat off temptation of the Devil and was spiritually awakened at last, turned into Buddha and propagated the teachings to the people. However, Devadatta of Brahmanism who is jealous of Buddhism and Buddha abused his authority and oppressed Buddhists. A lots of spectacular scenes are so powerful.

Essene

Essene1972 America 86min. monochrome 16mm
English/ Japanese subtitles
Directed by Frederick Wiseman

The Essenes is a stoic group which exists from Ancient Judea before Christianity. They are said to have made The Dead Sea scrolls. This is a documentary film that records their everyday life in Benedictine religious house today. Frederic Wiseman, the best documentary film maker of today who affects many film makers, describes their everyday life with a cool, realistic eye, absurdity and humorous. This film, is said to be the masterpiece of religious films, is first to be shown in Japan.

Nostradamus Senritsu-no-Keiji

Nostradamus1994 Japan 103min. color 35mm
Japanese
Directed by Yumiko Awaya
Written by Ryuho Okawa
Produced by Kyoko Okawa
Starring: Wolf Otsuki, Kai Ato, Masashi Isibashi, Koji Nambara, Ruby Moreno, Tomoko Ogawa, Shuntaro Emi, Tetsu Watanabe, Mitsuru Sato

"The earth will shake and common sense will collapse.". At the end of 20th century, extraordinary events took place all over the world according to Nostradamus' prediction. While tragic accidents occurred one after another, gods came on earth in human figure and started to fight to save this situation. It cost 1.7 billions to make and spectacular scenes are powerful.

Ningen-Kakumei (Human Revolution)

Ningen-Kakumei1973 Japan 160min. color Digital
Japanese
Directed by Toshio Masuda
Produced by Tomoyuki Tanaka
Original Written by Daisaku Ikeda
Written by Shinobu Hashimoto
Music by Ihukube Akira
Special effects by Teruyoshi Nakano
Starring: Tetsuro Tamba, Shinsuke Ashida, Michiyo Aratama, Tatsuya Nakadai, Tetsuya Watari, Mitsuru Sato

"Human revolution by one human being will change a country's destiny and will be possible to change all humans' destiny.". Josei Toda stood in the ruins after the war and decided to save the people. This film cost unprecedented budgets, used an all-star cast, and used top level staffs of Toho etc.. It was made with the best condition at that time in Japan.

Zoku Ningen-Kakumei (Sequel to Human Revolution)

Zoku Ningen-KakumeiDirected by Toshio Masuda
Produced by Tomoyuki Tanaka
Original Written by Daisaku Ikeda
Written by Shionbu HAshimoto
Music by Harumi Ibu
Special effects by Teruyoshi Nakano
Starring: Tetsuro Tamba, Teruhiko Aoi, Takashi Shimura, Tatsuya Nakadai, Tetsuya Watari, Shin Kishida, Isao Bito

This is a sequel made with an all-star cast and same staffs after a great hit of "Ningen-Kakumei". Josei Toda propagated hard while running many businesses. However, his work became worse because of rival companies and a depression. In such circumstances, he met a good young man, Shinichi Yamamoto. Yamamoto became his excellent disciple and he would become a leader in next generation. This film's spectacular scenes by Toho special effects staff are also powerful.