The Written Face poster

The Written Face

8.0(1)19951h 29m2

In Japanese theater, women's roles are traditionally played by men. The man playing the woman's role, the Onnagata, does not imitate the woman, as in the West, but tries to capture her significance. He need not stick close to his model, but draws far more from his own identity - a shift of value takes place, which is nonetheless not a step beyond. THE WRITTEN FACE is an attempt to offer an insight into the Japanese Kabuki star Tamasaburo Bando, one of the last defenders of this ancient and disappearing performing tradition.

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Status
Released
Budget
—
Box office
—
Language
Japanese
  • female artist
  • performing arts
  • portrait of an artist
  • artistic dance
  • dance theatre
  • art documentary

Top billed cast

Behind the camera

Produced in

Japan, Switzerland

Where to watch

All options

Availability for United States. Provided by JustWatch through the TMDB API.

Gallery

Still from The Written Face

Videos

No extra videos are listed for this title yet.

Release dates

  • United StatesUS

    • PremiereSan Francisco International Film Festival1 Apr 1996
  • United KingdomGB

    • PremiereBFI London Film Festival1 Nov 1995
  • CanadaCA

    • PremiereToronto International Film Festival9 Sept 1995
  • FranceFR

    • Theatrical1 May 1996
  • GermanyDE

    • Theatrical5 Sept 1996
  • JapanJP

    • Theatrical23 Mar 1996
  • NetherlandsNL

    • PremiereInternational Film Festival Rotterdam1 Jan 1996
  • SwitzerlandCH

    • Premiere6Locarno Film Festival8 Aug 1995
    • Theatrical1 Sept 1995
    • Theatrical27 Mar 1996

Frequently asked questions

The Written Face was released on 1 September 1995.

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