
The film is a series of vignettes from Taiji Tonoyama's life and film clips, interspersed with a dialogue to camera by Nobuko Otowa, addressing the camera as if she is addressing Tonoyama himself, recollecting events in his life. The film focuses on Tonoyama's alcohol dependence and his various sexual relationships, as well as his film work with Shindo.
Directed by Kaneto Shindō, By Player leans on a strong ensemble — Naoto Takenaka, Keiko Oginome, Hideko Yoshida — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.
The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 2000.
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A shy but ambitious film student falls into an intense, emotionally fraught relationship with a charismatic but untrustworthy older man.
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