Kei Fujiwara facts for kids

Kei Fujiwara (born March 12, 1957) is a Japanese actress, cinematographer, director, and writer. She first appeared in the American film The Neptune Factor. However, she is most famous for her role in the Japanese cyberpunk movie Tetsuo: The Iron Man.

More recently, she has focused on writing and directing. She is known for her surreal and unique experimental films. She also runs an experimental theater company called Organ Vital.

About Kei Fujiwara

Kei Fujiwara was born in 1957 in a poor family in a rural part of Kumamoto, Japan. In her early twenties, she moved to Tokyo to start a career in theater.

Early Career in Theater

The playwright Jūrō Kara wrote roles for her in his plays. He became her mentor, guiding her in her acting career. Kei Fujiwara spent many years creating underground theater groups.

In the 1980s, she worked with Shinya Tsukamoto. They created plays and 8 mm films together. She became very involved with Tsukamoto's theater group, Kaijyu Theater. She was known as his "right hand" person.

Working on Tetsuo: The Iron Man

Kei Fujiwara played an important part in Tsukamoto's films. These included The Phantom of Regular Size (1986) and The Adventure of Denchu Kozo (1987). She also worked on Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1989).

For Tetsuo: The Iron Man, she acted as the Girlfriend character. She also worked behind the scenes as a prop artist and one of the cinematographers. Her own apartment was used as a main set for the film. Even her cats appeared in some scenes! She also helped create the famous drill prop used in the movie.

Later Work and Organ Vital

After Tetsuo, she went back to underground theater. She continued working with Jūrō Kara. She also started her own company, Organ Vital. This company produced a play called Organ. Later, they turned this play into a film with the same name.

Kei Fujiwara explained that "Organ Vital" comes from a French term meaning "vessels of life." She said it means the "corporal," or things related to the body. She believes that as humans, we sense and express ourselves through our bodies.

She returned to acting in the film Organ. She played Yoko, the sister of an organ dealer.

Recent Projects and Life

Her films Organ and Ido (2005) did not become very famous or successful at first. However, they are now seen as important examples of the Japanese horror genre.

She continues to create theater work through Organ Vital. A new "nomadic" theater project called Ibunkitan started in 2019. This project has been shown in different places like shops, salons, and temples.

Kei Fujiwara lives in a quiet part of the Nagano mountains. In her free time, she runs a shelter for cats.

Artistic Style and Themes

Kei Fujiwara's work explores ideas about right and wrong, spirituality, fear, and pain. Her films often show strong images of physical changes and decay. They also explore pleasure.

Exploring Human Nature

Her films are known for their unique, experimental style. She has said that humans cannot remove desire from their lives. She believes that desire and violence are unavoidable parts of being human. Her films show her fear and sadness about these topics. She questions what they truly mean.

Influences on Her Work

Kei Fujiwara has mentioned several artists who influenced her creative ideas. These include the Buddhist novelist Kenji Miyazawa. She also looks up to manga artists like Osamu Tezuka, Sanpei Shirato, and Daijiro Morohoshi.

Filmography

As an Actress

• The Neptune Factor (1973)
• Denchu Kozo No Boken (The Adventure of Denchu Kozo) (1987)
• Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1989)
• Organ (1996)
• Ido (2005)
• Hana-Dama: The Origin (2014)

As a Director

• Organ (1996)
• Ido (2005)

As a Cinematographer

• Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1989)
• Organ (1996)
• Ido (2005)

As a Writer

• Organ (1996)
• Ido (2005)

As a Costume Designer

• Denchu Kozo No Boken (The Adventure of Denchu Kozo) (1987)
• Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1989)