落語家・快楽亭ブラックの生き様を描いたドキュメンタリー。 落語界のカリスマ・立川談志の弟子であり、彼が残した名言「落語とは、人間の業の肯定である」を体現するかのような破滅的な生活と過激な落語で知られる快楽亭ブラック。メディアへの露出は限定的でありながら、長年にわたり根強い人気を集めてきた。コンプライアンスが厳しい現代、もはや二度と現れないかもしれない芸人らしい芸人であり、すべての出来事を笑い飛ばすその了見は、息苦しい現代を生きる術でもある。1952年に米軍兵士と日本人女性との間に生まれたブラックは、差別から逃れるため、幼少期から多くの時間を映画館の闇の中で過ごした。69年に立川談志に入門するが、師匠のお金を競馬に使ったことが発覚して破門される。79年に談志門下に戻り、92年に二代目・快楽亭ブラックを襲名し真打昇進するも、2005年に借金2000万円が発覚して落語立川流を自主退会。その後も過激な落語で人気を集める一方、歌舞伎や日本映画への造詣から、評論家・脚本家としても活動している。 映画祭の主宰や映画館の運営を経て映画制作を行う榎園喬介が監督を務めた。活動弁士の坂本頼光が語りを担当。
A documentary depicting the life of Rakugo performer Kairakutei Black. A disciple of the legendary Danshi Tatekawa, Black is known for a self-destructive lifestyle and radical Rakugo style that seems to embody his master’s famous words: "Rakugo is the affirmation of human karma." Despite limited media exposure, he has maintained a loyal following for many years. In an era of strict compliance, he is a "true entertainer" the likes of whom may never appear again; his philosophy of laughing off every misfortune offers a way to navigate today’s suffocating world. Born in 1952 to a U.S. soldier and a Japanese woman, Black spent much of his childhood in the darkness of movie theaters to escape discrimination. He became an apprentice to Danshi Tatekawa in 1969 but was expelled after it was discovered he had used his master’s money for horse racing. He returned to the fold in 1979, took the name Kairakutei Black II, and was promoted to *shin'uchi* (master rank) in 1992. However, in 2005, he voluntarily left the Tatekawa school after a debt of 20 million yen came to light. While continuing to draw crowds with his provocative Rakugo, his deep knowledge of Kabuki and Japanese cinema has also led to a career as a critic and screenwriter. The film is directed by Kyosuke Enokizono, who moved into filmmaking after organizing film festivals and managing movie theaters. Narration is provided by *katsudo benshi* (silent film narrator) Raiko Sakamoto.
Source: cinematokyo.com · Tokyo mini-theater & independent cinema showtimes.