Mami Sunada is a Japanese filmmaker and director. She is best known for directing the critically acclaimed documentary 'The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness' (2013).
Sunada was born in Tokyo in 1972. She graduated from the Tokyo University of the Arts in 1996, where she majored in Aesthetics. After graduating, she worked as an assistant director to Takeshi Kitano, one of Japan’s most famous directors and actors. He was an influence in her career and she credits him with teaching her the techniques of filmmaking.
In 2004, Sunada wrote and directed her first feature-length film, 'The End of Summer', which was released at the Berlin International Film Festival. It was a success and earned her the Best Picture Award at the Tokyo International Film Festival.
Sunada's breakthrough came with the documentary 'The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness', which was released in 2013. It followed the creative process of the renowned animation studio, Studio Ghibli, and its two directors, Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata. The film received critical acclaim and won several awards, including the Japan Academy Prize for Best Documentary Film.
In 2015, Sunada directed 'The Deepest End', a documentary about the punk rock scene in Japan. The film focused on three bands: The Blue Hearts, Thee Michelle Gun Elephant and The Stalin, and their struggles to stay true to their punk roots in a changing music landscape.
Sunada's latest film, 'The Sun Next Door', was released in 2019. It follows the story of a woman who returns to her hometown after 20 years and is forced to confront her past. The film was praised for its delicate treatment of the subject matter and for its use of imagery to create an immersive experience for the viewer.
Sunada has been praised for her ability to capture the human spirit and for her use of visuals to tell a compelling story. Her work is a testament to her unique vision and her passion for creating meaningful films.
