Stroud filmmaker creates documentary on Shinto priest in Japan
A 19-year-old filmmaker from Stroud has made a documentary about a Shinto priest in Japan.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
A 19-year-old filmmaker from Stroud, Joel Osborne, has produced a documentary offering a rare glimpse into the ancient Shinto faith in Japan. The film, titled "Kanushi" (likely a reference to the Shinto priest title 'Kannushi'), follows a 22nd-generation Shinto priest and explores the religion's deep connection to nature.
Osborne, who has Japanese ancestry, began the project as a gap-year venture during his first solo trip abroad. While researching his journey, he discovered Shinto, Japan's indigenous faith, and decided to contact Taishi Kato, a 22nd-generation priest. Kato agreed to let Osborne spend a month with him in Japan, an opportunity that few Westerners have been granted.
Osborne shot the documentary entirely by himself, which he says allowed him to build a special friendship with the priest and capture moments that a larger film crew might have missed. The documentary aims to show how Shinto, often confused with Buddhism, is a mainstream religion in Japan with around 80,000 shrines. Osborne noted that Shinto's emphasis on respect influences Japanese culture, citing the example of Japanese football fans cleaning stadiums after matches.
Now 19, Osborne shot the film when he was 18. He has ambitious plans to finish the documentary and tour it around the world, showing it to as wide an audience as possible. The music for the film was composed by his brother. Osborne hopes to collaborate with others who have complementary skills to bring the project to completion.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | ITV |
|---|---|
| A 19-year-old filmmaker from Stroud made a documentary about a 22nd-generation Shinto priest, exploring his Japanese ancestry and the connection to nature. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The channel focused heavily on the personal story of the young filmmaker, his Japanese ancestry, and the emotional journey of making the documentary. The tone was warm and supportive, with the presenter expressing admiration and excitement. The segment included a trailer clip and an interview with Joel Osborne, highlighting the rarity of Western access to Shinto priests and the filmmaker's ambition to tour the film globally.
- “A 19-year-old filmmaker from Stroud has become one of very few Westerners to film with an ancient religious community in Japan.”
- “I wouldn't claim to be the first film-maker to film with a priest, but the relationship that I built with Taishi is so special.”
- “I want as many people to watch the film as possible. I'd like to tour around the world and showing it in different cultures to as big of an audience as possible.”
Broadcast Timeline
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