Ken Mitsuishi teams up with wunderkind director Yuya Ishii for new film

by Chris MaGee

It was just last month that we posted our Top Ten "That Guy" List which shone a spotlight on character actors who we are used to seeing again and again on screen, but whose names often escape us. One of those on the list was 49-yearold actor Ken Mitsuishi who has starred in over 100 films in his three decade career. Many of these roles have been in a supporting capacity, but according to Tokyograph Mitsuishi is about to step into a leading man role for one of Japan's hottest young director's.

Mitasushi has been cast in the upcoming film by 27-year-old indie director Yuya Ishii. Titled "Azemichi no Dandy" the story will revolove around a 50-year-old widower single father living in Kita-Kanto City who adopts the mannerisms and appearance of a "dandy" in order to help his teenage son and daughter. Of course Mitsuishi will be portrying this dandy-fied dad, although not much more is known about why this persona would help his children. Shooting on "Azemichi no Dandy" won't start until October and a theatrical release isn't slated until next year. If you've seen some of Yuya Ishii's other films, such as "Bare-assed Japan", "Girl Sparks", or "To Walk Beside You" though you'll know that these kinds of eccentric twists and characterizations are par for the course. I guess we'll just have to wait and see...