Kon Ichikawa

Influenced by artists as diverse as Walt Disney and Jean Renoir, Kon Ichikawa's films cover a wide spectrum of moods, from the comic to the overwhelmingly ironic and even the perverse. Ichikawa began his career as a cartoonist, and this influence is apparent in his skillful use of the widescreen, and in the strong, angular patterns seen in many of his compositions. He has also directed "Pu-san" (1953), a popular film based on Junichiro Yokoyama's "Mr. Pu" comic strip. At various points in his career, Ichikawa has shown that he is capable of appealing to a popular audience without compromising his artistry.