Artist of the Soul is a celebration of the life and work of a great modern artist who had the distinction of being the only artist to have been given a solo exhibition at the British, and who dedicated his entire oeuvre to the promotion of peace. It also explores the fact that, despite his central position in the international art scene, he remains relatively unknown in his motherland, Japan. It was given an unprecedented screening at UNESCO, in October 2008, at Yoshidas testimonial exhibition, Vie Et Paix.

A filmic tour de force in its own right, Artist of the Soul captures the essence of Yoshidas spirituality; his natural pathos for humanity, and Shinto beliefs, which he managed to interface successfully with other world religions, thus crystallising his life-long interest in prayer as a conduit of higher communication. It also establishes his fervent aversion to categories.

Directed by Ghanaian filmmaker Ishmael Annobil, Artist of the Soul is a visually rich film, replete with innovative motion graphics tableaux of Yoshidas work, underpinned by a definitive interview with the artist, with contributions by friends and curators, including his agent and friend, Jose Ferez Kuri, and Professor Lawrence Smith, who gave Yoshida his historical British Museum exhibition. It is the main recorded legacy of this sublime artist to date, who died shortly before the completion of the film.

Annobil received generous support from various Japanese organisations and individuals, including Yuko Mukahira of Osaka based Documentary Workshop, who provided him with pre- and post WWII footage of Japan; the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, who provided him with drawings by Hiroshima survivors; and the staff and management of the October Gallery, London. Legendary Japanese Taiko drummer and composer Joji Hirota scored the entire film.

DEDICATION: Kenji Yoshida Artist of the Soul is dedicated to the memory of Kenji Yoshida and the Victims of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings in WWII.

THE DIRECTOR: Writer/producer/director of the film, Ishmael Annobil, is the founder of Stonedog Productions Ltd, an international collective that prides itself on its ability to produce cutting edge films without funding, relying purely on the storytelling, artistic, and technical skills of its members. Born in Ghana, in 1958, Annobil is a poet, novelist, journalist, photographer, artist, emblemist, graphic designer, digital composer and inventor. He is currently producing three feature films and two documentaries for Stonedog.

CREW: WRITER/PRODUCER/DIRECTOR: Ishmael Fiifi Annobil; CINEMATOGRAPHY: Ishmael Annobil (Ghana), Abiy Mamo (Ethiopia), Dave Butler (England), Merethe Rosvold (Norway); EDITOR (S): Dave Butler (England), Merethe Rosvold (norway) and Francesco Caradonna (Italy); MOTION GRAPHICS: Tristan Nieto; MUSIC: Joji Hirota (Japan); SOUND POST: Tate Post Vanesa Tate (Argentina) and Dominique Devoucoux (France). 2ND UNIT PRODUCER AND DIRECTOR: Vanessa Cornier; 2ND UNIT CINEMATOGRAPHY: Elodie Maitre.