Gouki Kozue returned from Tokyo in 1994 to take over the family management of Azuma-za Movie Theater. Miss Gouki possesses a rather unique personality. "I guess I was a strange child. I always chose watching movies over playing with friends," she laughs. Admiring the glamorous actors and city life on the screen, Miss Gouki envisioned her future home to be on "the other side." She left for Tokyo in 1970 and worked as an actress before she joined a company that distributed foreign television programs. Living in the heart of the city and building her career as a confident saleswoman, Miss Gouki's decision to work in her hometown where new information and entertainment for the young are scarce was a daring one.
From contracts with film distribution companies to advertising and showing, Miss Gouki runs a one-man production
Miss Gouki likes artistic films that have hidden messages. The lack of such movies in her hometown drove her towards Tokyo. But recently, she realized that there may be other people in her town that would appreciate her special interest. Thus Miss Gouki has been organizing her own shows. "My father still owns the theater, so I rent it at night to host 'From East Joeikai.'" She runs a solo production by attending previews, signing contracts with foreign film distributors, advertising the films, and releasing them at her father's theater.
Azuma-za Theater's evening viewers actually look forward to Miss Gouki's selections and plan their schedules to accommodate viewing times. "It's tough, but I get excited when I meet movie fans who appreciate my taste. 1 such fan is enough to keep me going." In hopes that Azuma-za would one day be a source for information and that Shiojiri-shi as a whole would become a vibrant city with plenty of entertainment for the young, Miss Gouki continues to exert her energy.
