Takeshi Kitano (Tokyo, 1947), also known as "Beat" Takeshi, is a renowned Japanese director, screenwriter, and actor. Beginning his career as a comedian, he gained international fame for his distinctive cinematic style.

His films, often raw and contemplative, are characterized by sudden and stylized violence, minimalist dialogue, and surreal black humor. He frequently portrays stoic characters, yakuza, or solitary anti-heroes, embodying them with a restrained and magnetic expressiveness.

Among his most significant works as a director and actor are the debut *Violent Cop* (1989), the nihilistic *Sonatine* (1993), and the award-winning *Hana-Bi - Fiori di fuoco* (1997), considered a masterpiece for its fusion of brutality and poetry. He demonstrated versatility with the more touching *Kikujiro* (1999) and the dynamic *Zatoichi* (2003). Kitano is an acclaimed auteur who explores themes such as loyalty, death, and the absurdity of human existence.