Troubled actress Sugita Kaoru (40) seems to be seeking a move out of the limelight. She’s been a regular on the live afternoon variety show “Waratte Iitomo” every Wednesday for the last year, but made the surprise announcement yesterday that she will no longer be appearing. The show is a TV institution, hosted every weekday for more than 20 years by comedian Tamori (60). Sugita only recently stepped down from a planned role in next year’s prestigious taiga period drama on NHK. Official statements say the decisions have nothing to do with her recent widely publicized brief marriage and divorce, but there can be little doubt that she could do with a break from the intense media glare.
• “Chi to Hone” (Blood and Bones), the movie featuring Kitano “Beat” Takeshi (58), has been chosen as the Japanese entry for the foreign movie category at next year’s Academy Awards. It will be up against a host of entries from around the world for one of five nominations. Yamada Yoji’s “Tasogare Seibei” (Twilight Samurai) was shortlisted in 2003, the first Japanese feature to be nominated in 22 years. Directed by Sai Yoichi (56), “Chi…” is a story about ethnic Koreans in Osaka in the 1920s. Takeshi turned in a powerful performance as a violent husband and father. He got so into his fight scenes with his son (Odagiri Jo), that it left him with a dislocated shoulder. As a director himself, he has received awards at the Cannes and Venice film festivals. This may be his first step toward getting an elusive Oscar.