Director / Editor / Cinematographer / DP

Kazuhiro Soda

想田和弘

New York / Tochigi, Japan / USA

Based in New York. Known for a rigorously defined observational method of documentary filmmaking, which he has also written about as an author. Took a degree in Religious Studies at the University of Tokyo in 1993, then a BFA in filmmaking at the School of Visual Arts in New York in 1997, where he has remained. Worked as a television director for NHK from 1997 to 2005. Shot campaign in 2005, following the outsider LDP-endorsed candidate Kazuhiko Yamauchi through a Kawasaki election; it went to the Berlinale Forum in 2007 and its 52-minute PBS version WON a peabody award in 2008, broadcast as part of the Why Democracy? Series co-produced by 33 broadcasters.