Film director Kumai, acclaimed for tackling social issues, dies at 76

Film director Kumai, acclaimed for tackling social issues, dies at 76

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese film director Kei Kumai (R) receives the Berlinale Kamera prize in the Berlin International Film Festival in a photo taken in February 2001. Kumai, known for tackling social issues, died of subarachnoid hemorrhage at a hospital in Tokyo on May 23. He was 76.

Film director Kumai, acclaimed for tackling social issues, dies at 76

Film director Kumai, acclaimed for tackling social issues, dies at 76

TOKYO, Japan - Kei Kumai (in file photo taken in October 1995), an eminent film director known for tackling social issues, died of subarachnoid hemorrhage at a hospital in Tokyo on May 23. He was 76. Kumai won acclaim both at home and abroad for ''Sandakan Hachiban Shokan Bokyo (Sandakan No. 8)'' in 1974, a film depicting the tragedy of a woman who worked as a prostitute in Sandakan, Borneo, before World War II.

Director bags special Berlin award for achievement

Director bags special Berlin award for achievement

BERLIN, Germany - Veteran Japanese film director Kei Kumai (R) receives an award that pays homage to his long career, at the 51st Berlin International Film Festival on Feb. 15. The ceremony was followed by a private screening of his latest film, ''Darkness in the Light,'' that deals with a fatal nerve-gas attack by the AUM Shinrikyo cult in 1994 in Nagano Prefecture.

Film director Kumai, acclaimed for tackling social issues, dies

Film director Kumai, acclaimed for tackling social issues, dies

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese film director Kei Kumai (R) receives the Berlinale Kamera prize in the Berlin International Film Festival in a photo taken in February 2001. Kumai, known for tackling social issues, died of subarachnoid hemorrhage at a hospital in Tokyo on May 23. He was 76. (Kyodo)

Film director Kumai, acclaimed for tackling social issues, dies

Film director Kumai, acclaimed for tackling social issues, dies

TOKYO, Japan - Kei Kumai (in file photo taken in October 1995), an eminent film director known for tackling social issues, died of subarachnoid hemorrhage at a hospital in Tokyo on May 23. He was 76. Kumai won acclaim both at home and abroad for ''Sandakan Hachiban Shokan Bokyo (Sandakan No. 8)'' in 1974, a film depicting the tragedy of a woman who worked as a prostitute in Sandakan, Borneo, before World War II. (Kyodo)

Director bags special Berlin award for achievement

Director bags special Berlin award for achievement

BERLIN, Germany - Veteran Japanese film director Kei Kumai (R) receives an award that pays homage to his long career, at the 51st Berlin International Film Festival on Feb. 15. The ceremony was followed by a private screening of his latest film, ''Darkness in the Light,'' that deals with a fatal nerve-gas attack by the AUM Shinrikyo cult in 1994 in Nagano Prefecture.