Hideo Nakata Biography

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HIDEO NAKATA (Director) has emerged as one of the world's most influential horror film directors since directing the original “Ringu” in his native Japan. Based on a trilogy of novels by Japanese fright-master Suzuki Koji, the film went on to become the most successful horror movie in the history of Japanese cinema.

The film also inspired a trend in what is commonly referred to as “J-Horror” films, emphasizing mystery and dread over such common contemporary horror mainstays as gore and special effects. Nakata followed up in 1999 with the second film in the series, “Ringu 2.” Three years later, “Ringu” spawned DreamWorks' successful American remake, “The Ring."

Born in Okayama, Japan in 1961, Nakata studied both applied physics and journalism at the University of Tokyo. Upon graduating he landed a job as an assistant director at Nikkatsu Studios where he worked for seven years under the mentorship of director Masaru Konuma. In 1996, he directed his first feature film, “Joyu-rei” (aka “Ghost Actress”), which incorporated many of the supernatural trademark elements for which he would become best known.

In 1999, the same year he directed “Ringu 2,” Nakata switched gears to direct the crime-drama “Kaosu” (aka “Chaos”). Returning to his roots in 2002, he directed “Honogurai mizu no soko kara” (aka “Dark Water”), based on a novel by “Ringu's” Suzuki Koji. American versions of both “Chaos” and “Dark Water” are currently being produced.

In 2000, between feature films, Nakata directed a documentary film on his mentor Masaru Konuma entitled “Sadistic and Masochistic.”

“The Ring Two” marks Nakata's American film directing debut. He is next set to direct a crime thriller, entitled “Out,” and the remake of the paranormal horror film “The Entity.”