Sakichi Sato

Overview

Sakichi Satô was born in 1964 in Osaka, Japan. His work is very versatile and his abilities have spanned several parts of the movie making business. He started work in major film roles as an actor in 2001 and also starting working on writing screenplays at that time. More recently he has started directing as well, and has two directing credits under his belt. He is well known by zombie and horror film enthusiasts, especially after the success of the 2005 film Tôkyô zonbi aka Tokyo Zombie, which he both wrote and directed. He also worked double-duty by acting in two films for which he also wrote the screenplay.

Sakichi Satô: the actor

In addition to many Japanese films, listed below, Sakichi Soto also appeared in the 2003 American blockbuster Kill Bill Volume I, which was directed by Quentin Tarantino.

• Niji no megami (2006) ... aka Rainbow Song (International: English title)
• Yoki na gyangu ga chikyu o mawasu (2006) ... aka A Cheerful Gang Turns the Earth (International: English title)
• Watashi no akachan (2004)
• Ruang rak noi nid mahasan (2003) .... Yakuza ... aka Chikyû de saigo no futari (Japan) ... aka Last Life in the Universe (International: English title)
• Gokudô kyôfu dai-gekijô: Gozu (2003) .... Coffee Shop Manager ... aka Gozu (International: English title) (USA) ... aka Yakuza Horror Theater: Gozu (USA)
• Akarui mirai (2003) ... aka Bright Future (International: English title) (USA)
• Igyo no koi (2002)
• Koroshiya 1 (2001) .... Man Kicking Ichi ... aka Ichi the Killer (International: English title)

Sakichi Satô: the writer and director

In addition to his frequent work as an actor, Sakichi Satô also has numerous credits for both writing as directing. He wrote the screenplays for the following films:

• Tôkyô zonbi (2005) ... aka Tokyo Zombie (International: English title)
• Unmei ningen (2004) ... aka Fateful (International: English title)
• Gokudô deka (2003)
• Revolver - Aoi haru (2003)
• Gokudô kyôfu dai-gekijô: Gozu (2003) ... aka Gozu (International: English title) (USA) ... aka Yakuza Horror Theater: Gozu (USA)
• 1-Ichi (2003)
• Koroshiya 1: The Animation Episode (2002) ... aka Ichi: The Killer (UK)
• Koroshiya 1 (2001) ... aka Ichi the Killer (International: English title)
• Kinpatsu no sougen (2000) ... aka Across a Gold Prairie (International: English title)

As has been a common practice of other writers and directors, he has even appeared in some of the movies that he has written, such as Gokudô kyôfu dai-gekijô: Gozu, where he appeared as a waiter.

He has directing credits for two films:

• Tôkyô zonbi (2005) aka Tokyo Zombie (International: English title)
• Gokudô deka (2003).

Sakichi Satô Awards and Acclaim

In 2004, Sakichi Soto received the Silver Raven award for his work on the screenplay for Gokudô kyôfu dai-gekijô: Gozu. The Silver Raven is awarded by the Brussels International Festival of Fantasy Film. The film also won several other awards at the Neuchâtel International Fantasy Film Festival and the Sitges - Catalonian International Film Festival, including best Asian Film.