OOKU, Akiko

Biography

Akiko OOKU

大九明子

b. 8 Oct 1968, Yokohama

  • OOKU is sometimes written OHKU on various websites. The director herself uses OOKU.
  • has a degree in Political Science from of Meiji Gakuin University
  • during her college years, she joined a sketch comedy group
  • after graduation worked as a secretary for a government-affiliated organisation but quit after only four months to study at School JCA, a school for aspiring comics.
  • worked as an actress and personality, appearing on TV variety programs.
  • studied film directing at the Film School of Tokyo, where she made her first feature, Igaito Shinanai (1999)
  • known for her woman-centred dramas

Secondary Sources

  • Murell, Sofía. “Interview with Akiko Ooku: ‘It’s easier to feel anger towards things close to you, which gives you tons of materials to write about’”. Asian Movie Pulse. 19 May 2018.
  • Pountain, David. “Interview: Akiko Ohku Talks Tremble All You Want.” Film Doo. 10 May 2018.
  • Schilling, Mark. “Tremble All You Want: Mayu Matsuoka gives a star-making turn in delightful romcom.” The Japan Times. 3 Jan 2018.
  • Young, Deborah. “Tremble All You Want (Katte ni Furuetero): Film Review | Tokyo 2017”. The Hollywood Reporter. 27 Oct. 2017.

Filmography (Features)

1999
意外と死なない
Igaito Shinanai

2007
Tokyo Serendipity
恋するマドリ
Koisuru MADORI
scr. Masaya KAKEI / Akiko OOKU
113 min.

2012
Tokyo Nameless Girl's Story
東京無印女子物語
Tokyo Mujirushi Joshi Monogatari
97 min.

2013
Monster
モンスター
Monsuta
scr. Miyuki TAKAHASHI
based on the novel by Naoki HYAKUTA
dp. Yoshiko OSAWA
114 min.

2013
Tadaima, Jacqueline
ただいま、ジャクリーン
Tadaima, Jakuriin
scr. Shigeru MURAKOSHI / Hiroshi TAKAHASHI
dp. Keiko OSAWA
The Film School of Tokyo
40 min.

2014
Hokago Lost
放課後ロスト
Hokago Rosuto
3 shorts:
“Little Trip”, dir. Chihiro AMANO
“Rakugaki Uwagaki”, dir. Ai NAGURA
“Baion”, dir. Akiko OOKU
dp. Shin HAYASAKA
based on manga by Ran IGARASHI
102 min.

2015
Fantastic Girls
でーれーガールズ
Dērē Garuzu
scr. Takashi MINAMOTO
based on novel by Maha HARADA
118 min.

2017
Tremble All You Want
勝手にふるえてろ
Katte ni Furuetero
scr. Akiko OOKU
dp. Natsuyo NAKAMURA
based on novel by Risa WATAYA
117 min.

2019
Marriage Hunting Beauty
美人が婚活してみたら
Bijin ga konkatsushite mitara
scr. Jiro (SISSONNE)
based on manga by Arako TOARU
93 min.