Go Takamine was born in 1948 in Kabira Village on Ishigaki Island in Okinawa. He lived in Naha through high school, after which he entered the Kyoto University of Education on a national scholarship for exchange students (Okinawa was still under American control at the time), at which time he began shooting 8mm movies. His directorial debut was Okinawan Dream Show (1974), a close look at the scenery of Okinawa around the time of its reversion to Japan. Thereafter, he continued to shoot films about Okinawa. Paradise View (1985) was his first narrative film. Untamagiru (1989) won a number of domestic and international prizes, including the Caligari Film Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival. Other works include Tsuru-Henry (1998) and Private Images of Ryukyu: J.M. (1996), inspired by Jonas Mekas’ visit to Okinawa. At present he teaches courses at professional schools and universities. Hengyoro (Queer Fish Lane) is his latest film.