Koji Yakusho to make directing debut with “Gama no Abura”

by Chris MaGee

It looks like Takeshi Kitano and Shinya Tsukamoto are going to be joined by another actor/ director: Koji Yakusho. That’s right, Yakusho, who’s had a truly illustrious 30 year career that has included roles in Juzo Itami’s “Tampopo”, Masayuki Suo’s “Shall We Dance?” and Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s “Cure” will be making his directorial debut with “Gama no Abura (Toad Oil)”, a family drama about a day trader (to be played by Yakusho) and his relationship with his wife, injured son and his son’s lover.

The idea for the film has apparently been rattling around in Yakusho’s head for a couple years now and as any good actor turned director he’s paid special attention to his co-stars, casting Eita (Memories of Matsuko, Hanging Garden) and Satomi Kobayashi (Dare Yori mo Mama wo Aisu) as his onscreen family.

According to Tokyograph there has already been interest from buyers at this year’s Cannes Film Festival and Yakusho hopes to have “Gama no Abura” ready to premiere at next year’s fest.