Kenji Takama

Kenji Takama J.S.C. (born March 10, 1949, in Suginami, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese cinematographer. Takama is a member of the Japanese Society of Cinematographers.

Biography

As a student at Tokyo Metropolitan University, Kenji Takama first studied Economics. Later, he began working as a camera assistant at Wakamatsu Productions and began shooting commercials, leading to his first assignment as a director of photography on the film Gassan (1978). He received a scholarship to the Artists' Training Program of the Culture Agency, and moved to Hollywood, and then to New York. While in the United States, he trained under a number of cinematographers: Harry Wolf for Little House on the Prairie, John Alonzo for Blue Thunder, John Alcott for The Beast Master, Vilmos Zsigmond for Table for Five, Owen Roizman for Tootsie, and Gordon Willis for Broadway Danny Rose (IMDb, 2019).

After returning to Japan, he worked primarily with younger directors such as Naoto Yamakawa, Shusuke Kaneko, Shun Nakahara and Fran Kuzui. He received the best photography award twice at the Yokohama Film Festival: for Summer Vacation 1999 (1988) and Misty Kid of Wind (1988). At the Osaka Film Festival, he won best cinematography honors for A High School Teacher and Hear The Duck's Song (1993). He also received the Best photography by children Julie at Poland Film Festival for Naran (1995) and was nominated for best photography at the Japanese Academy Award for Welcome Back, Mr. Macdonald (1997). Further, a Japanese Academy Award nom (1998) for 'Rajio no jikan'''.

Filmography Revolution+1 (2022) - Director of PhotographyWatashi wa zettai yurusanai (2018) - Director of Photography The Salt of the Earth, Gunpei Yamamuro (2017) - Director of Photography Madou: After the Rain (2017) - CinematographerKagami no naka no egao tachi (2016) - CinematographerManga niku to boku (2014) - CinematographerYokohama Story (2013) - CinematographerWatashi no michi: Waga inochi no tango (2012) - CinematographerShare House (2011) - CinematographerJazz Jii Men (2011) - CinematographerManatsu no yo no yume (2009) - CinematographerCafe Daikanyama III (2009) - CinematographerPuraido (2008) - CinematographerSunshine Days (2008)The Hole (2008) - CinematographerCindellera of the Entrance Exam (2008) - CinematographerKotatsu neko (2007) - CinematographerDeath Note 2: The Last Name (2007) - CinematographerUlysses (2006) - CinematographerGod's Left Hand, Devil's Right Hand (2006) - CinematographerHaha: Toyoko, aru kazoku no ai to kanashimi (2006) - Cinematographer9/10 (2005) - CinematographerChô kowai hanashi the movie: yami no eigasai (2005) - CinematographerTaga kokoro nimo ryu wa nemuru (2005) - CinematographerLife on the Longboard (2005) - CinematographerSynesthesia (2005) - CinematographerFantastipo (2005) - CinematographerMetasequoia no ki no shita de (2005) - CinematographerShômei kumagai gakkô (documentary) (2004) - CinematographerRoad 88: Deaiji shikoku e (2004) - CinematographerMousugu haru (2004) - CinematographerKanzen naru shiiku: onna rihatsushi no koi (2003) - CinematographerShirayuri Club Tokyo e iku (documentary) (2003) - CinematographerIden & Tity (2003) - CinematographerHotel Hibiscus (2002) - CinematographerAll About Our House (2001) - CinematographerMerdeka 17805 (2001) - CinematographerCrossfire (2000) - CinematographerNabbie no koi (1999) - Director of PhotographyRajio no jikan (1997) - CinematographerDorîmu sutajiamu (1997) - CinematographerYukai (1997) - Camera OperatorTokimeki Memorial (1997) - CinematographerKimi wo wasurenai (1995) - Cinematographer Naran: White Horse (1995) - CinematographerShiroi Uma: White Horse (1995) - CinematographerShoot! (1994) - CinematographerHigh School Teacher (1993) - CinematographerAhiru no uta ga kikoete kuru yo. (1993) - CinematographerAngel: Boku no uta wa kimi no uta (1992) - CinematographerUsureyuku kioku no nakade (1992) - CinematographerJuninin no yasashii nihonjin (1991) - CinematographerKaze no kuni (1991) - CinematographerJutai (1991) - CinematographerHong Kong Paradise (1990) - CinematographerDocchini suruno (1989) - CinematographerKaze no matasaburo - Garasu no manto (1989) - CinematographerLast Cabaret (1988) - CinematographerTokyo Pop (1988) - Camera OperatorSummer Vacation 1999 (1988) - CinematographerYamadamura waltz (1988) - CinematographerNew Morning of Billy the Kid (1986) - CinematographerBroadway Danny Rose (1984) - Camera Intern (uncredited)Table for Five (1983) - Camera Intern (uncredited)Blue Thunder (1983) - Camera OperatorTootsie (1982) - Camera Intern (uncredited)The Beastmaster (1982) - Assistant Camera, Camera InternGassan (1979) - CinematographerDevil's Song (1975) - Assistant CameraSubmersion of Japan (1973) - Assistant CameraSei kazoku'' (1971) - Assistant Camera