In Japanese theater, women's roles are traditionally played by men. The man playing the woman's role, the Onnagata, does not imitate the woman, as in the West, but tries to capture her significance. He need not stick close to his model, but draws far more from his own identity - a shift of value takes place, which is nonetheless not a step beyond. THE WRITTEN FACE is an attempt to offer an insight into the Japanese Kabuki star Tamasaburo Bando, one of the last defenders of this ancient and disappearing performing tradition.

«Visage écrit» est une tentative d'approche de la star japonaise de kabuki Tamasaburo Bando à travers quatre parties où on la voit évoluer.

Знаменитый актер театра Кабуки, выступающий в жанре Оннагата, рассуждает о женственности и взгляде мужчины на женское искусство. Ему вторят легендарные актрисы, танцовщицы и гейши прошлого. Танец и жест значат в этом фильме намного больше, чем слова.