Product Description
85 minutes plus 14 minutes special features (introduction and filming bunraku documentary), with English subtitles. Originally released and filmed in 1979, this Blu-ray is digitally remastered from the original film negative. Directed, produced and edited by Marty Gross, The Lovers' Exile is an adaptation of the bunraku (puppet theatre) play Meido no Hikyaku and is about the love suicide play, centering around a penniless clerk called Chubei and a prostitute called Umegawa. It is performed by the Bunraku Ensemble of Osaka, the most acclaimed in Japan, that features several Living National Treasures. Includes a documentary, introduction by Jean-Louis Barrault.
Puppet handlers are Tamao Yoshida (Chubei) Living National Treasure of Japan, Minosuke Yoshida III (Umegawa) Living National Treasure of Japan, Kanjuro Kiritake II (Hachiemon & Magoemon) 1920-1986, National Treasure of Japan
Narrators are Oritayu Takemoto V, now Tsunadayu IX, Living National Treasure of Japan, Koshijidayu Takemoto IV, 1913-2002 National Treasure of Japan, Mojidayu Takemoto IX, now Sumitayu VII, Living National Treasure of Japan
Shamisen Players are Enza Tsuruzawa V, 1914-2001, National Treasure of Japan, Seiji Tsuruzawa and Kinshi Nozawa IV, 1934-1989, National Treasure of Japan
1. Awajicho no Dan 2. Haori Otoshi 3. Fuingiri 4. Ninokuchimura
