Shinji Sômai
Shinji Sômai (1948 - 2001) was a Japanese director. In 1972, he began working as a directing assistant for the Nikkatsu film studio. He directed his first film, Tonda Couple, in 1980, and his second film, Sailor Suit and Machine Gun, in 1981. The latter became a major success and was regarded as one of the best Japanese films of that year. Since then, Sômai has made several films that have inspired filmmakers worldwide.