Nagisa Oshima is generally regarded as Japan's most important post-war film director. Born in Kyoto, Japan, he first studied law at Kyoto University before joining the Shochiku Film Company as an assistant director in 1954. He has since directed over 50 films and written over 40 books. His most widely acclaimed films include "In the Realm of Passion" for which he won the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival in 1978, and his 1980 film, Empire of Passion.