Hisaaki Nagaoka

Hisaaki Nagaoka, born in 1967 in Tokyo, Japan, is a celebrated director who has been active in the film industry since the 1990s. Known for his work in the genres of drama and comedy, his most renowned films include "Dr. Akagi" and "Warm Water Under a Red Bridge," the latter of which won the FIPRESCI Prize at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival. Nagaoka's unique authorial style is marked by a careful balance of humor and poignancy, tackling heavy themes with a light-hearted touch. On a personal note, Nagaoka is a director who, with his own cinematic language and unique vision, has managed to touch the hearts of audiences around the globe.