TIFF presents Cinema Kabuki: Kumagai’s Camp

Kumagai’s Camp/Kumagai Jin’ya
(a samurai tragedy)

Premiered in 1751 as a puppet theatre play
Written by Namiki Sosuke
Recorded live at Kabuki-za Theatre, Tokyo, 2010
104 min.
Subtitled in English
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLsXQXWbDjU
Synopsis and background: http://www.kabuki21.com/kumagai.php

A samurai hero struggles on the battlefield. But on his day of triumph, Kumagai, one of the commanding officers, suffers in agony trying to fulfill his duty and devotion to his Lord Yoshitsune. This play was originally written for the puppet theatre and through its formal structure achieves the passion and solemnity of classic drama. A powerful warrior is transformed from a statuesque figure to a pure victim of the inhumanity of war. This character development is depicted stylistically through the sung narration of Gidayu music. Three Living National Treasures—Kichiemon, Tomijuro, and Tojuro—create a splendid tableau of historical grandeur.

Tickets: $22 link
On sale: TIFF Members January 13; General public January 20

Cinema Kabuki is presented by TIFF in partnership with The Japan Foundation, Toronto.