Documentary backdrop image for Ken San (2016)

201695 minPGdocumentary

6.7/ 10(3 ratings)• TMDB

Labor

Deep Dive

Ken San

201695 minPGdocumentary

6.7/ 10(3 ratings)• TMDB

Deep Dive

Ken Takakura starred in over 200 films, becoming a cultural icon in Japan and influencing the film industry and society throughout his life.

Genres

Director

Watch later

Synopsis

Ken Takakura starred in over 200 films, becoming a cultural icon in Japan and influencing the film industry and society throughout his life.

People

Synopsis

Ken Takakura, born in 1931 in Fukuoka, Japan, became a key figure in Japanese cinema. He starred in over 200 films, earning acclaim for his roles that reflected strength and dignity. Interviews with filmmakers like Martin Scorsese and Paul Schrader, along with personal stories from friends and family, reveal Takakura's influence on the film industry. His legacy endures in Japan and beyond, as audiences continue to connect with his work and character.

Deep Dive

Why Watch

Meet Ken Takakura, a Japanese cinema legend.
See rare interviews with Martin Scorsese and Michael Douglas.
Find out about Takakura's impact on Japanese culture.

Did You Know

Ken Takakura starred in over 200 films during his career.
The documentary features interviews with notable figures like Martin Scorsese.
Ken Takakura was born in 1931 in Fukuoka, Japan.
The film was directed by Yûichi Hibi and released in 2016.

Perfect For

Japanese cinema fansFilm history enthusiastsKen Takakura admirers

Read full Deep Dive →

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Ken Takakura born?

Ken Takakura was born in 1931 in Fukuoka, Japan.

How many films did Ken Takakura star in?

Ken Takakura starred in over 200 films during his career.

Who directed the documentary Ken San?

The documentary Ken San was directed by Yûichi Hibi.

Comments

What are people saying?

Play More Like This

2h21m

Stanley Kubrick: A Life in Pictures

2001•2h21m•★7.4TMDB

Stanley Kubrick's life and cinematic legacy are explored through interviews with Jack Nicholson, Nicole Kidman, and insights from directors like Steven Spielberg.

Stanley Kubrick: A Life in Pictures

2001

30m

Untangling Your Name

2025•30m•★7.0TMDB

Makoto Shinkai's "Your Name" serves as the backdrop for a journey across Japan, exploring the real-life locations that inspired its stunning visuals.

Untangling Your Name

2025

49m

Kabuki, the Path of the Flowers (歌舞伎)

2020•49m

Kazutaro Nakamura, a seventeen-year-old actor, strives to preserve the centuries-old art of Kabuki as he makes his debut at Tokyo's Kabuki-Za Theatre.

Kabuki, the Path of the Flowers (歌舞伎)

2020

48m

Saigo Takamori - The Last Samurai

2021•48m

Saigo Takamori was born on January 23, 1828, in Kagoshima, Japan, and became a central figure in the Satsuma Rebellion of 1877.

Saigo Takamori - The Last Samurai

2021

49m

Ever-lasting art of Japanese theatre

2023•49m

Hayato introduces his sons to the Grand Kabuki performance in Tokyo, preserving their heritage.

Ever-lasting art of Japanese theatre

2023

1h15m

The Way of Mizoguchi | Filmmakers Documentary | Full Movie

2024•1h15m

By 1925, Kenji Mizoguchi had directed more than 30 films, covering genres from contemporary dramas to historical epics and adaptations of Western literature.

The Way of Mizoguchi | Filmmakers Documentary | Full Movie

2024

18m

The Legend of Benkei - Japan's Greatest Warrior Monk

2023•18m

Benkei, Japan's legendary warrior monk, is celebrated for his extraordinary feats and mythical tales that have shaped the nation's cultural heritage.

The Legend of Benkei - Japan's Greatest Warrior Monk

2023

51m

Interview with a Sculptor

2025•51m

Franco-Japanese sculptor Tetsuo Harada shares his artistic process and influences in an intimate interview set in his Parisian home and ateliers in Japan.

Interview with a Sculptor

2025

16m

Kagemusha

2020•16m

Takeda Shingen's body double must navigate the complexities of identity and power after the samurai leader's unexpected death in this acclaimed film.

Kagemusha

2020

17m

Kubi

2024•17m

Takeshi Kitano's latest film explores the political machinations surrounding Hashiba Hideyoshi leading up to the Honnoji Incident and the battle of Yamazaki.

Kubi

2024

51m

The True Cost of Clothing - True Story Documentary Channel

2021•51m

The clothing industry has seen a decline in prices over decades, while the human and environmental costs, highlighted by figures like Stella McCartney and Vandana Shiva, have surged dramatically.

The True Cost of Clothing - True Story Documentary Channel

2021

1h8m

Economy in Transition

2025•1h8m

By 2035, 1.1 billion people will be over the age of 65, raising concerns about economic growth and the balance of power among nations.

Economy in Transition

2025

Explore Ken San

Trailer Cast & Crew Deep Dive Topics FAQ Stream

Where else to watch

1h13m

Citizen Kitano

2020•1h13m•★7.3TMDB

A street kid from Tokyo, Takeshi Kitano became a major figure in Japanese culture as a filmmaker, actor, and political satirist.

Citizen Kitano

2020

1h30m

More Than Miyagi: The Pat Morita Story

2021•1h30m•★7.1TMDB

One-third of the film addresses Pat Morita's struggles with alcoholism, reflecting his desire to help others facing similar challenges.

More Than Miyagi: The Pat Morita Story

2021

1h15m

A. K.

1985•1h15m•★6.3TMDB

Akira Kurosawa's adaptation of Shakespeare's King Lear, Ran, is explored through the challenges and artistry of its production in this documentary by Chris Marker.

A. K.

1985

1h31m

Life Work of Akira Kurosawa

2022•1h31m•★8.0TMDB

Akira Kurosawa's creative process and collaborative spirit are highlighted through behind-the-scenes footage and interviews from the set of his 1985 film Ran.

Life Work of Akira Kurosawa

2022

1h4m

Last Hero

1992•1h4m•★7.4TMDB

Viktor Tsoi, the frontman of the Russian rock band Kino, significantly shaped music and culture in late 20th-century Russia, as shown in this documentary.

Last Hero

1992

1h21m

Grateful Dawg

2000•1h21m•★6.0TMDB

In 1964, Jerry Garcia and David Grisman met at a Pennsylvania club to see Bill Monroe perform, marking the beginning of their musical collaboration.

Grateful Dawg

2000

1h23m

Good

2018•1h23m•★6.6TMDB

A diverse group of artists, including poets, writers, and painters, collaborate with musician Rodolphe Burger to examine creativity and artistic expression.

Good

2018

Browse more like this

51m

The True Cost of Clothing - True Story Documentary Channel

2021•51m

The clothing industry has seen a decline in prices over decades, while the human and environmental costs, highlighted by figures like Stella McCartney and Vandana Shiva, have surged dramatically.

The True Cost of Clothing - True Story Documentary Channel

2021

No digital watch option in your country

1h58m

Akira Kurosawa: My Life in Cinema

1993•1h58m•★7.7TMDB

Akira Kurosawa engages in an in-depth conversation with fellow director Nagisa Oshima, reflecting on his influential career and the cultural impact of his films.

Akira Kurosawa: My Life in Cinema

1993

1h55m

Kurosawa

2013•1h55m•★7.0TMDB

Akira Kurosawa's collaborations with actor Toshiro Mifune reveal significant cinematic innovations and thematic depth in his body of work.

Kurosawa

2013

1h4m

To the Backstreet: The Films Kenji Nakagami Left Out

2001•1h4m•★10.0TMDB

Kenji Nakagami's connection to Kishu, a mountainous region in Japan, is explored through personal archives and landscapes that influenced his literary work.

To the Backstreet: The Films Kenji Nakagami Left Out

2001