Junya Satō(佐藤 純彌, Satō Jun'ya; 6 November 1932 – 9 February 2019) was a Japanese film director and screenwriter.

His son, Tōya Satō(佐藤 東弥, Satō Tōya), is also a film director.

Career

Born in Tokyo, Satō graduated from the University of Tokyo in 1956 with a degree in French literature. He joined the Toei studio and worked as an assistant to such directors as Tadashi Imai and Miyoji Ieki. He debuted as a director in 1963 with Rikugun Zangyaku Monogatari, for which he won a best newcomer's award at the Blue Ribbon Awards. While starting in mostly yakuza film, Satō eventually became known for big budget spectaculars. The Go Masters, a China-Japan co-production he co-directed with Duan Jishun, won the grand prize at the Montreal World Film Festival in 1983. He won the Japan Academy Prize for Director of the Year in 1989 for The Silk Road.

Sato died in Tokyo on 9 February 2019.

Filmography

YearJapanese TitleEnglish TitleNotes
1963陸軍残虐物語 Rikugun Zangyaku MonogatariTale of Army Brutality
続・王将 Zoku ŌshōThe King 2
1964廓育ち Kuruwa SodachiRaised in a Palace
1966愛欲 AiyokuThirst for Love
1967組織暴力 Soshiki BōryokuOrganized Violence
続組織暴力 Zoku Soshiki BōryokuOrganized Violence 2
1968荒野の渡世人 Kōya no ToseininThe Drifting Avenger
1969日本暴力団 組長と刺客 Nihon Bōryokudan: Kumichō to ShikakuJapan's Most Violent Gangs: The Boss and the Killeralso co-wrote screenplay
組織暴力 兄弟盃 Soshiki Bōryoku: Kyōdai SakazukiThe Private Police
旅に出た極道 Tabi ni Deta GokudōYakuza on Foot
1970日本ダービー 勝負 Nihon Derby ShōbuThe Japan Derby Racealso co-wrote screenplay
最後の特攻隊 Saigo no TokkōtaiThe Last Kamikaze
1971博徒斬り込み隊 Bakuto KirikomitaiThe Gambler’s Counterattackalso co-wrote screenplay
暴力団再武装 Bōryokudan Sai BusōThe Armed Organization
1972ギャング対ギャング 赤と黒のブルース Gang tai Gang: Aka to Kuro no BluesGang vs. Gang: The Red and Black Bluesalso wrote screenplay
やくざと抗争 実録安藤組 Yakuza to Kōsō: Jitsuroku Andō-gumiQuarreling with Yakuzaalso co-wrote screenplay
1973実録 私設銀座警察 Jitsuroku: Shisetsu Ginza KeisatsuTrue Account of Ginza Tortures
ゴルゴ13 Gorugo SātīnGolgo 13
実録安藤組 襲撃篇 Jitsuroku Andō-gumi: ShūgekihenThe Ando File
1974ルバング島の奇跡 陸軍中野学校 Rubangu-tō no Kiseki: Rikugun Nakano GakkōMiracle on Lubang Island: Army Nakano School
1975新幹線大爆破 Shinkansen DaibakuhaThe Bullet Trainalso co-wrote screenplay
1976君よ噴怒の河を渉れ Kimi yo Fundo no Kawa o WatareManhunt
1977人間の証明 Ningen no ShōmeiProof of the Man
1978野性の証明 Yasei no ShōmeiNever Give Up
1980遙かなる走路 Haru Kanaru SōroDrive for the Future
甦れ魔女 Yomigaere MajoThe Way to The Gold Medals
1982未完の対局 Mikan no TaikyokuThe Go Masters
1983人生劇場 Jinsei GekijōTheater of Life ("Youth" segment)also co-wrote screenplay
1984空海 Kūkai
1986植村直己物語 Uemura Naomi MonogatariLost in the Wildernessalso co-wrote screenplay
1988敦煌 TonkōThe Silk Roadalso co-wrote screenplay
1992私を抱いてそしてキスして Watashi o Daite Soshite Kiss ShiteHold Me and Kiss Me
おろしや国酔夢譚 Oroshiyakoku Suimutan Сны о России Sny o RossiiKodayu or Dreams of Russiaalso co-wrote screenplay
1994超能力者 未知への旅人 Chōnōryokusha - Michi e no TabibitoPsychic: Traveler to the Unknown
1997北京原人 Who Are You? Pekin Genjin Who Are You?Peking Man
2005男たちの大和 Otoko-tachi no YamatoYamatoalso wrote screenplay
2010桜田門外ノ変 Sakuradamon-gai no HenThe Sakurada Gate Incidentalso co-wrote screenplay

External links