Kan Mukai

Kan Mukai
Japanese film director, Kan Mukai
Born	Hiroki Mukae October 16, 1937 Dairen, Manchukuo
Died	June 9, 2008(2008-06-09) (aged 70) Tokyo, Japan
Occupation	Film director, cinematographer, producer and screenwriter
Years active	1962–2004
Spouse(s)	Takako Uchida
Website	http://www.kuruma.org/mukai/

Kan Mukai (向井寛, Mukai Kan^?) aka Hiroshi Mukai and Patrick Kan (カン・パトリック, Kan Patorikku^?) was a Japanese film director, cinematographer, producer and screenwriter, known for his pioneering work in the pink film genre. In the realm of pink cinema, Japanese critics have estimated that Mukai is "the only serious rival of Kōji Wakamatsu." As a producer, Mukai helped the early careers of many prominent directors, including Hisayasu Satō and Academy-Award winner Yōjirō Takita. In his career he directed nearly 200 films and produced approximately 500.

Kan Mukai was born in Dairen, Manchukuo (modern Dalian, China) on October 16, 1937. He studied economics at Kyushu University, but dropped out to pursue a career in film. In 1959 he began his apprenticeship, serving as assistant director to Kiyoshi Saeki, Tadashi Imai and Isao Yoshida. He also worked as a cinematographer on projects for various studios, mostly for educational, children's and industrial films. During this early period in his career he honed his craft and became known as a top cinematographer.