The 24th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) will be held from October 22 to 30, 2011, at Roppongi Hills and other venues in Tokyo.

To demonstrate “Power of Films” and “the Spirit of Japan”, we will hold a retrospective screening of films starring Kyoko Kagawa, the great Japanese actress who was beloved by Kenji Mizoguchi, Yasujiro Ozu, Akira Kurosawa, and Mikio Naruse, all of whom were legendary directors during Japan’s golden age of film in the 1950′s. The films to be shown include “A Story From Chikamatsu” (Chikamatsu monogatari) by Kenji Mizoguchi, 1954.

This retrospective is entitled “Kyoko Kagawa and the Masters,” and will be co-hosted by the National Film Center. This year, Kyoko Kagawa will receive an award from FIAF (International Federation of Film Archives) for her achievements in film. The award ceremony will be held during the 24th TIFF in recognition of her years of support for TIFF.

This story also is being featured at “Japan Focus 2011″ in Screen International, which will be available today, May 12, at the 64th Cannes International Film Festival.

Message from Kyoko Kagawa about the retrospective
I believe that many of the great films to be exhibited at the 24th TIFF will have strong healing power for the Japanese victims of the earthquake and tsunami. This retrospective is a wonderful honor for me and one that I truly appreciate.

Profile: Kyoko Kagawa
Born in Tokyo, Kyoko Kagawa made her film debut in 1950 in “Mado kara tobidase,” directed by Koji Shima. She has appeared in many films since then, including “Okasan” (Mikio Naruse, 1952), “Tokyo Story” (Ysasujiro Ozu, 1953), “A Story From Chikamatsu” (Chikamatsu monogatari, Kenji Mizoguchi, 1954), and Akira Kurosawa’s films, “The Lower Depths” (1957), “Red Beard” (1965), and “Madadayo” (1993). In 1990, Kagawa received the Best Supporting Actress award from Kinema Jumpo for “Mt. Aso’s Passions” (Kei Kumai), and in 1993, the Japan Movie Critics Award, the Japan Academy’s Best Supporting Actress prize, and other prizes for “Madadayo.” She also received the Kinuyo Tanaka Award for her achievements in film. Recent film credits include “Letter from the Mountain” (2002), “Red Whale and White Snake” (2005), and “Tonan kadobeya nikai no onna” (2008).

“Kyoko Kagawa and the Masters”
Additional titles will be announced shortly.
“A Story From Chikamatsu”(Chikamatsu monogatari) (1954)
Director: Kenji Mizoguchi
Cast: Kazuo Hasegawa, Kyoko Kagawa, Yoko Minamida

Osan (KAGAWA) is married to Ishun, a wealthy but miserly scroll-maker. When Osan is falsely accused of having an affair with Mohei, a worker, the pair flee the city and declare their love for each other. Ishun orders his men to find and separate them to avoid public humiliation.