mrex productions

At the Vilcek theatre, a successful three-night event wrapped with full of enthusiastic audience... more

Sorry for those who made reservations but had to remain on the waiting list and couldn't see the film. We will let you know about future screenings!
Engaging conversations between the filmmakers/Seijun Baba and curious crowd at the post-screening Q&A... more
Special thanks to the Vilcek Foundation that supports creative endeavors of foreign-born artists in the U.S.
"Filled with mystery, magical overtones, compassion, and profound respect, The Gatekeeper of Enmyoin is some of the most innovative documentary storytelling I’ve seen in a long time, with a brilliant musical score...”... more
Alan Berliner, filmmaker

This feature-length experimental narrative offers an extraordinary perspective on Japanese Buddhism and feminine identity; moreover, the film’s biography morphs into a suspenseful mystery with twists and turns worthy of a Murakami novel.... more
Deirdre Boyle, documentary critic, historian & professor

Synopsis
Teijun Ogawa, a proud and rare niso (female priest) of Japanese Shingon Buddhist Sect, dies after telling her story to Reiko and Max, a Japanese couple based in New York. She told them about her desolate life since she was given to a temple at the age of seven, and her achievement of building the Enmyoin temple single-handedly. But she refused to share her view as a woman—as if the subject was taboo. Upon hearing the arrival of a young heiress, as though guided by old Teijun, the couple revisits Enmyoin... more
The GateKeeper of Enmyoin was made possible in part by:
The Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission, National Endowment for the Arts, Jerome Foundation, New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), Corporation for Public Broadcasting through the Media Fund Program administered by The Center for Asian American Media, The Decentralization Program of the NYSCA and The Greater New York Arts Development Fund of the NYC Dept. of Cultural Affairs administered by The Brooklyn Arts Council, and private donors.
©2006 MRex Productions. All Rights Reserved.
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Broadcast in Hawaii Sept 2009!
Time Warner Oceanic Cable
Free Video-On-Demand!

We are pleased to announce that The GateKeeper of Enmyoin will be on video-on-demand (free) on Time Warner Cable in Hawaii during the month of September 2009, as part of selected film series from Hawaii International Film Festival.

We'll post more info as soon as it's available!