Movie director Kitano “Beat” Takeshi (56) became the first Japanese to be awarded the “Silver Camera” award at an event connected with the Venice Film Festival. He received the award at the “Open 2003” event, in just its third year, based on the film’s technical merit. Kitano’s latest movie “Zatoichi” is in competition for the prestigious Golden Lion, which the actor/director/comedian previously won in 1997 (photo). The role of Zatoichi – the blind masseur who is also a master swordsman – was immortalized on TV and the big screen by the late actor Katsu Shintaro.