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Tatsuya Mori

もり たつや

Mori Tatsuya

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1956-05-10 （Kure, Hiroshima, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Hiroshima Prefecture (birth) → Aomori Prefecture (childhood) → Niigata Prefecture (childhood / schooling) → Ishikawa Prefecture (childhood) → Toyama Prefecture (childhood) → Niigata Prefecture (high school)

Career

Occupations
Film director, Documentary filmmaker, Non-fiction writer, Novelist, University lecturer / professor
Active Years
1986-
Affiliations
Meiji University (Special appointed professor)
Influenced By
Kaizo Hayashi (associate / collaborator)
Influenced
Contemporary documentary filmmakers and writers in Japan

Education

Niigata Prefectural Niigata High School
Country: Japan
Rikkyo University (St. Paul's University)
Faculty of Law
Country: Japan
Belonged to a student film production circle during university

Awards

Japan Film Splash — Best Film
2019
Work: I- Shinbun Kisha Documentary-
Organization: Tokyo International Film Festival
Result: winner
Excellent Director Award
2024
Work: Fukudamura Jiken
Organization: Japan Academy Prize
Result: winner
Director Award
2017
Work: FAKE
Organization: Japan Film Professional Awards
Result: winner
Kodansha Nonfiction Prize (33rd)
Work: A3
Organization: Kodansha
Result: winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

A

1997 Documentary film

A documentary following daily life of Aum Shinrikyo members; was officially invited to the Berlin International Film Festival.

cultsgroup vs individualmedia and truth

A2

2001 Documentary film

Sequel to A, continuing to explore aspects around Aum Shinrikyo.

investigative reportingresponsibility and memory

FAKE

2016 Documentary / Theatrical film

A documentary film about the ghostwriter controversy surrounding Mamoru Samuragochi; garnered wide attention.

art and deceptionmedia critique

I- Shinbun Kisha Documentary-

2019 Documentary film

A documentary depicting the work and conflicts of newspaper reporters. Won the Japan Film Splash Best Film award at TIFF.

newsroom practicejournalistic ethics

Fukudamura Jiken

2023 Feature film with documentary elements

A feature film exploring the dangers of immersion into groups. Earned the Excellent Director Award at the 47th Japan Academy Prize.

group psychologysocial responsibility

Bibliography

  • "A" Shooting Diary — 13 Months Spent at Aum Facilities
  • FAKE
  • Shimoyama Case
  • Documentaries Lie
  • A3
  • Chanki

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Field-driven non-fiction styleInvestigative approach that tackles social taboosObservational and analytical narration
Recurring Motifs
tension between group and individualmedia critiquemarginalized people

Legacy

Recognized as a documentary filmmaker and writer who tackles taboo topics without fear of controversy. Influential in journalism and documentary practice.

Quotes

  • "How do you become a film director? It's a foolish question. If you want to be a director, you should already be making films yourself."
    Source: Interview / biographical note (source: summarized from Wikipedia content)

Trivia

  • His father was a Japan Coast Guard officer; he moved frequently in childhood (Hiroshima → Aomori → Niigata → Ishikawa → Toyama → Niigata).
  • While at Rikkyo University he belonged to a student film circle and associated with filmmakers such as Kiyoshi Kurosawa and Akihiko Shiota.
  • His (current) wife is writer Hiroko Yamazaki.
  • Early in his career he also performed as an actor.