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Lee Sang-il (director)

Lee Sang-il is a Japanese filmmaker. He is a third generation Zainichi Korean born and raised in Niigata, Japan. His filmography is characterized by a deep exploration of human conflict and the dark sides of society, achieving both critical acclaim and commercial success. He has been nominated multiple times at the Japan Academy Film Prize, winning Best Picture twice and Best Director twice.

Early life
Lee Sang-il was born in Niigata, Niigata Prefecture on January 6, 1974. He studied at the Japan Institute of the Moving Image in Kawasaki, Kanagawa. == Career ==
Career
Lee's first film Chong was a featurette about the lives of third-generation Koreans in Japan. His film Hula Girls was declared the best Japanese film of 2006 by Kinema Jumpo, and earned Lee Best Director and Best Screenplay at the 2007 Japanese Academy Awards. His film Unforgiven was screened in the Special Presentation section at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival. His film Kokuho (2025) became one of the highest-grossing Japanese films of all time. At the 2025 Tokyo International Film Festival, he received the honorary Akira Kurosawa Award, which is given each year for extraordinary contributions to world cinema. ==Filmography==
Filmography
• 2000: Chong • 2002: Border Line • 2004: 69 • 2005: Scrap Heaven • 2006: Hula Girls • 2010: Kaidan - Horror Classics (Ayashiki Bungo Kaidan) in ep. 3 "The Nose" (TV series) • 2010: Villain • 2013: Unforgiven • 2016: Rage • 2017: The Blue Hearts • 2022: Wandering • 2025: Kokuho == Awards and nominations ==
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