MIFUNE TOSIR

Japanese actor, producer. Appeared in films: "Rosemon," "Seven Samurai", "Bodyguard," "red beard," "insurgent," "On the bottom," "Idiot," "The Castle of webs, etc. Favorite actor, director A. Kurosawa.

TOSIR Mifune born on April 1, 1920 Qingdao. His father owned a photo. When the boy turned four years, the family moved to Dayrin. In Manchuria were childhood and adolescence TOSIR Mifune. In the winter of his passion was ice skating. In summer, the boy climbs the coastal rocks, collecting shells. After high school it called in the army. "This is a difficult life - the life of a soldier - that in the north, the south, a terrifying dream lasted for six years," - recalled Mifune.

At the front TOSIR fell. He identified the Aviation Training Detachment, located in northern Manchuria. Here he passed a special course photography.

After the war, in April 1946, Mifune unexpectedly even for itself has become a party to contest the studio "Tojo" with "new faces", ie for vacant positions actors. Of the 12 thousand applicants to the finals were thirty women and eighteen men.

A quarter-century, the chairman of jury selection, the director Kadziro Yamamoto recalled: "Mifune answered our questions as brutally and abruptly, as they say his samurai on the screen. He did not like the members of the commission, and it did not want to take. But when I saw how it is removed from the hall, I noticed it in gentleness and grace, which prompted me that it would become an actor. And I insisted that it took. And then it was hard to find. He has been an unusually diligent and careful, came almost two hours before the occupation . . . "

Among those who have passed while the competition was, and future wife Mifune - Satik. According to Yamamoto, it was the "most beautiful of all the girls who participated in the contest. But she was unable to learn due to the prohibition of parents. In January 1950, TOSIR Mifune and Satik married. His wife presented him with two sons and a daughter.

During the year TOSIR Mifune sword waving, studied weigh out obeisance, recite poems, and finally, in 1947, withdrew in the occasional role in his teacher Kadziro Yamamoto in the film "Time of the new fools. " However, his true debut was the role of gangsters in the film Edzima Senkiti Taniguti "On the other side of Silver Ridge. " He drew attention to one of the writers of film - directed by Akira Kurosawa. Inviting Mifune in the role of gangsters in his film "Drunken Angel, Kurosawa and does not imply that the film offers an outstanding actor.

Thus in 1948 a meeting of two stars of Japanese cinema. TOSIR later wrote: "Those that Japanese cinema has become known throughout the world, we are primarily obliged to pictures Kurosawa. What I know as an actor at home and abroad, as its merit. Starting with "drunken Angel" up to "Red beard" I played most of his paintings, only sixteen. Kurosawa practically taught me everything that I know and know how, and that he first showed me that I am an actor. "

In the movie "Drunken Angel" Mifune once again played a gangster, but modern.

Photo — «Mifune Tosir»

Kurosawa for the first time in his artistic biography began to search the material for the script, keeping in mind that the primary role in the future, the film will play Mifune. He focused on the contemporary play "tacit duel. " "Mifune was the gangsters, and let be a doctor. " Following this Kurosawa withdrew a further two are not very visible work with a young actor in the title role. This is a "homeless dog" (1949) and "Scandal" (1950).

Next role robber Tadzemaru in the Kurosawa film "Rasemon" (directed by Kurosawa), was a turning point in the biography of Mifune. She led the young actor in the leading masters of the cinema of Japan, brought him worldwide fame.

The image Tadzemaru Mifune passed the enormous range of psychological states robber - his carelessness, and boasting to the questioning, the strength and dexterity in one fight, cowardice - in the other, next to the arrogance of human weakness, cynicism in the episode with the woman and the nobility in the version of Samurai. Critics noted that Mifune plays an unusually expressive and bright, his temperament neukrotim, plastic is perfect and complex treatment of the image, the psychological complexity of the show high-skill talent.

"All indications, it embodies all of ten force solely quick shvatyvaya my intention," - said Kurosawa. Cascade hops violent, warlike cries and grimaces, which the robber intended to intimidate and Samurai stunned on the forest path, producing a strange and fascinating at the same time impressed.

Role Tadzemaru was an important milestone in the biography of Mifune. At the Venice Film Festival "Rasemonu" was awarded the Golden Lion. " Soon added to the prize, the famous American Film Academy Award - Oscar. In the years following the "Rasemonom, TOSIR Mifune played in many films, filmmakers, but especially important for him was the work of Kurosawa. Under his direction, Mifune has become what it has so far been lacking - a serious school of acting.

Mifune is like hot cakes. He again works with Senkiti Taniguti, was in the historical drama kostyumnyh veteran Hiroshi Inagaki. And moving from film to film, showing his talent, outstanding temperament, ability to ride on horseback, sword in the fight, shoot out a revolver, dazzling light up a screen full of charm and kindness smile. The role of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto in the film "Eagle Pacific" (1953) opened a line of endless images of war.

Six years after "Rasemona" Mifune shot in thirty-seven scenes. Five of them put Akira Kurosawa.

In the upgraded screen Dostoyevsky novel "The Idiot" (1951), Mifune played Rogozhina. "Since taking on the role Rogozhina - told TOSIR - I began to read Dostoyevsky, and tried to understand and, in turn, as the Japanese to explain. In fact, I played in the Japanese film, but, despite the Japanese dress, I tried to reveal the spiritual character of Russian literature. Briefly articulate why I love Dostoevsky, it is very difficult. I think that first attracted me to him the way he finest motion picture of human soul. "

Much easier dalas Mifune his next work with Kurosawa. It was Kikuchi in "Seven Samurai" (1954) - one of the peaks of creative director.

Photo — «Mifune Tosir»

The events of "Seven Samurai" are left in an era of Sengoku (XVI century), when Japan divided by internecine war. Hero Mifune - one of the "magnificent seven". Many years later, the question of his favorite roles, Mifune name two works - "Seven Samurai" and "Castle Web site (on the drama of Shakespeare" Macbeth "). Between these two works was another - an old factory in the Kurosawa film "Notes of living" (1955).

Castle Web - a fruitful example of classic screen drama. The hero of the tragedy - Macbeth (in the movie Vasidzu) in the performance of Mifune - rich and deep character, and his turn on the path of evil is committed, although fast, but not easy. In the final picture Vasidzu stricken hail of arrows, slowly falling to the feet of his soldiers. The actor makes the last point in the smart and subtle interpretation of Macbeth.

Castle Web (1957) was a turning point in the creative talent. Following Vasidzu viewers saw Mifune in the role of ash in Vaski screen Kurosawa "At the bottom of" Gorky. Following its principle Kurosawa transferred the action plays at the end of the Edo period, in the middle of the XIX century. Mifune plays the ashes delicately, thoughtful, emotionally.

Japanese critic TOSIR named best actor Mifune movies of 1957.

Mifune was removed and the other directors, working on "Tojo", for example, Mikio Naruse and Ciro Toeda. However, only a veteran Hiroshi Inagaki, who withdrew in the twenty-Mifune films, the actor has achieved this success. In 1958, Inagaki set movie based on a novel Mas′ari Ivasita "Biography Matsugoro Tosima" TOSIR with Mifune in the title role.

Role Matsugoro brought him success and recognition. As, however, and the main role in another film Inagaki - "Musashi Miyamoto", also won praise critics. But the actor was dissatisfied with them. "When I am working on a role - he said - it seems to me that I give her all their forces. But the movie is over. He immediately stops me like, me cover frustration. And this is repeated every time. "

In 1961 he went to Latin America, to play a major role in the film the Mexican director Ismael Rodriguez "anybody" (Animas Trukhan). Partner Mifune was a popular actress Columbus Dominguez. The hero of the film - a drunkard and layabout (his plays Mifune) - wants to become a "significant person" - mazhordomom. And seeks the desired objectives at the cost of dishonesty and betrayal. "I played in this film of pure curiosity because until now I did not ever meet on the set of foreign filmmakers. Mexicans paid my meager fee, so that commercial interest in this event was zero. But as an actor I was working with them very interesting, "- told Mifune.

Strong, brave and just man with a sword in the hands of flagrant save offended and punish criminals - a traditional Japanese film, passing by could not be Mifune. Closely he approaches the topic samuraystva in the film Kurosawa "Three scoundrels in the abandoned fortress" (1958). Mifune plays the role of General Makabe Rokurotu. "wandering warrior with a sword in the hands of the speaker for justice, to protect the weak and oppressed, it seems to me the beginning of humanistic expression", - said TOSIR.

Photo — «Mifune Tosir»

Such was the hero of Kurosawa movie "Bodyguard" (1961). Ronin Sandzyuro - Hero wanderer, too, one against all attempts to exterminate the dominant evil.

At Venice festival Mifune was awarded "Volpi Cup for best male role. The success of the painting at home and abroad prompted Kurosawa and Mifune further adventures of the characters. In 1962, came on the screens the film "Tsubaki Sandzyuro" with the same central character.

Above all these labor rises Niyde a doctor in the film Kurosawa Red beard "(1964). The role of doctor Niyde as TOSIR said, "the fruit of all my acting, and the human biography. "

In 1963, Mifune TOSIR established his own company, Mifune about, but since it did not have its production base, the plan of the studio, creation and rental of films entirely dependent on "Tojo". "I propose to plot film" Tojo ", as it provides a survey", - said Mifune.

In summer 1965, the actor explains his goal: "Working with Kurosawa always brings joy and satisfaction, our own love for the tumult of passions, to a strong character. But between the end and beginning work on the new movie a long interval, and the company with which I was awarded the contract, proposed to me the other roles. Most of them do not give me as an actor. I have long dreamed to play such a role, which would stand by me, expressed my attitude. I have several times offered us their stories, but it is not accepted. It happened with the plot and the film "The Inheritance five hundred thousand", which condemned the war. Then I decided to do himself. "

But the constant lack of money, continuing friction with the "Tojo" because of the differing plans for the two studios - all stood on the path to rapid implementation of its intentions.

In 1965, Mifune made a big foreign tour. He visited at the International Film Festival in Moscow, then went to Paris. After this visit, the director John Frankenhaymer, film "Grand Prix", invited Mifune in the role of head of the Japanese race cars. Internationally, the project involved the famous movie star of those years.

Samples of about five months in Europe in the shootings, he went to the United States in the hope of a new joint productions. In addition, as a prisoner by "Tojo" with "Benedict pikcher Corporation contract, he should play along with Lee Marvin in the movie" The Island of horror. " But as it turned out, a fee, promised Mifune, was for 100 thousand dollars less than the fees of an American. TOSIR rebelled and refused to removed. Later, however, an agreement was reached with Mifune, and work on the film resumed in 1968.

Grand on the Japanese scale of fees for the "Grand Prix" and the personal savings Mifune used for the construction of three studios in Tokyo. "I′m tired, I am right there is sick of eroticism, ugliness and senselessness of Japanese movies and I want to do work for a large scale and rich in content" - he said.

The first work created within the walls of the new studio, has confirmed the intention of Mifune. A mighty strong and courageous person, spiritually ahead to an era of her only external sign of time - two swords and the traditional hairstyle - TOSIR created in the film Masaki Kobayashi "revolt" (1967).

Photo — «Mifune Tosir»

The nature of the hero Isaburo Sasahara - Samurai, challenging centuries-old morality, it was so dramatic material, which both require an actor.

"revolt" was a huge personal victory for Mifune, Mifune-producer and actor. According to a survey of Japanese critics, the film was recognized as the best picture of the year. He received the FIPRESSI at the Venice Film Festival, was awarded a prize at the British kinoinstituta as best foreign film of the year, was as outstanding works on the film festival in New York and brought TOSIR large income.

Mifune producer enters into close cooperation with another popular actor in Japanese cinema - Yudziro Isihara owned his own company. Their joint film "Sun over Kurobe", staged by the documentary record Sodzi Kimura of the protracted construction of the dam, had tremendous spectator success. Mifune himself played a small role of one of the leaders of the construction firm.

After a successful first experience TOSIR Mifune turned to another pet audience - the actor Kinnosuke Nakamura. In their joint kostyumno-historical film "Gion Festival" shows the city of Kyoto during the internecine XVI century. And again - a great success with the public.

The next film screening novel Yasushi Inoue "Furin Kadzan, has joined the three stars - Isihara, Nakamura and Mifune. TOSIR will be displayed in the image of a talented military strategist Kensuke Yamamoto.

Next kostyumno-historical film, set in 1969, brought him to the staggering success. Kihati Okamoto in the film "Red hair" was able to recreate the atmosphere of spontaneity and humor of many early works Mifune. The actor once again played a fun, zhiznelyubivogo hero of the people.

Mifune worked in these years, especially stress. Shootings at home alternating with work abroad. The painting of "Mifune about under the title" Hell in the Pacific, "directed by John Bormann, he played a Japanese officer, caught on a desert island with an American pilot. Mifune was a partner of Lee Marvin. More interesting was his role of head guard at the Japanese after Terence Young in the film "Red Sun" (1971), where TOSIR to work together with Charles Bronson and Alain Delaunay.

In 1968, Japan had celebrated the centenary "isin Meiji (Meiji Restoration), of a frontier separating the feudal Japan of the capitalist. Mifune first response to this event have been referred to "red hair", and in subsequent years - "Group sinsengumi" (1969), "ambush" (1970) and "The last years of Shogunate" (1970), issued by Nakamura with involving Mifune. In these tapes TOSIR plays a samurai in authority.

Producers of large companies willing assigned him the role of historical figures in film, imbued with nostalgia for the former military power the country. Mifune played General Anami in the film "The Longest Day of Japan" (director Kihati Okamoto, 1967), squadron commander Isoroku Yamamoto in the same film (1968, directed by Seydzi Maruyama). A year later - Admiral Togo in the movie of the same director′s "Battle at the Sea of Japan. "

Finally, Mifune is drawn to the production of television films.

Photo — «Mifune Tosir»

At the same time, worked on two series of films. The first of these - "Ronin desert, it Mifune appears in the image Sandzyuro so well found in the scenes Kurosawa. At the core of another - the famous legend of samurai loyalty "Tyusingura. Mifune served as the main hero - Kuranosuke Oisi. Studio was to supply material for a weekly hour broadcast of each series. But the expected success was not. According to the TV, "Most Tyusinguru" looking 13 percent of potential viewers, at that time considered to be low.

In the seventies Mifune did just endless series for television: fifty films a year. He has not been a weekend or holiday, each day at seven o′clock - the beginning of filming.

Foreign directors invited him to their films, offering a solid by the standards of Japan′s fees. He was in the film, Steven Spielberg′s "1941" (1979), in Cumana Kaye in "Death of master tea ceremony (1989). Canadian-American film "Shadow Wolf" (1991) owes its remarkable success is the skill TOSIR Mifune. This epic story of the life of the Eskimos - another version of the eternal conflict between fathers and children. Japanese director Kon Ichikawa asked Mifune pull in the movie "The Princess from the Moon" (1987).

In spring 1973, Kurosawa said: "Mifune man of exceptional abilities. It is phenomenally sensitive, hence, perhaps, so clearly evident in his playing of national traditions. I appreciate his acting talent, but at least admire his human qualities - subtlety, honesty and diligence. x3c. . . x3e In my opinion, less interesting work Mifune in foreign films - producers have not been able to take from him what he is rich. But it must be hard to handle: it is necessary only to give him the will, it becomes difficult, capricious and play better. "

TOSIR actor Mifune tragic scale, surprisingly strong, organic, diverse, continued to play mostly in television ( "dzidaygekah"), as well as abroad. But does his name in the history of cinema would be associated with Kurosawa films, which he always spoke with warmth. "The most interesting part of any of the characters - his soul, identity, otherness in the other - said TOSIR. - Even if a man holds a sword in his hand, he may be weak and trusliv. Every strong man has its weaknesses, and each weak - its spiritual power. Each film - is a story about a man, but there are no two identical people, the same fate. Actors have to reincarnate, to live in different ways, different circumstances. This is the most interesting part of the actor′s profession. By the way, this helped me to study the Stanislavsky system, which is among the very popular Japanese actors. "

TOSIR Mifune prefer to live in nature. The actor traveled extensively, was a guest in many international festivals. He was fond of hunting, loved horse riding, fly your own plane and deftly managed the yacht.

In the early 1990′s TOSIR survived the heart attack, and in December 1997, died at the age of 77 years.