Shion Sono

Sion Sono (園 子温, Sono Shion, born December 18, 1961) is a multi-talented Japanese filmmaker, author, and poet who has had a profound impact on the world of cinema. He is best known for his controversial and idiosyncratic filmmaking style that defies norms and standards set by traditional cinema. The festival circuit recognizes him for his notable film, Love Exposure (2008), and he's been lauded as the most subversive filmmaker when it comes to Japanese cinema of today. His career spans several decades and has seen him explore a variety of roles, including acting, screenwriting, cinematography, and even film composition.

Sion Sono's journey began in 1961 in Aichi Prefecture. He ran away from home at 17, ending up in Tokyo where he had life-altering experiences, including interacting with a cult and a terrorist group. He gained his footing upon returning home and undertaking film studies at Hosei University. By the mid-1980s, Sono was known in festivals and was starting to receive acclaim for his films. He spent part of the 1990s in San Francisco, watching B-movies and pornography to clear his head from traditional cinema. On returning to Japan, he ventured into the creation of unconventional, dark entertainment art-house. Sono made a breakthrough with his horror film Suicide Club in 2001, which developed a significant cult following. His critically acclaimed film, Love Exposure (2008), is considered by many as his magnum opus. His admirers and critics alike often describe Sono's style as grotesque, erotic, philosophical, surreal, and convoluted, making him a prominent auteur in the industry.