Ko
Machida’s 2004 novel Panku Zamurai Kirarete Soro
was a huge Japanese bestseller. In the years that followed
many cult filmmakers [including Takashi Ishii] attached themselves to
the project. However, most everybody finally concluded that it would
be impossible to make. But Sogo Ishii - Japan's original punk icon (BURST
CITY, ELECTRIC
DRAGON 80,000 V, DEAD
END RUN, et al) - would not let go. He was like a dog
with a slab of raw meat, making the 'impossible' happen.
On
the obvious level, the story revolves around ronin Junoshin Kake (Gou
Ayano), a wandering samurai who wants to become part of the Kurokaze
clan. To do this, he fabricates a series of lies that should make him
appear more valuable to leader Lord Kuroae. However, as his lies start
to unravel, Junoshin soon finds himself in a dangerous position wedged
between two rival factions within the clan. But this is only the foundation
for an epic fantasy which involves warring monkey tribes, drug-induced
showdowns, and the insanely dangerous antics of the Belly Shaking Cult.
As the movie slips deeper and deeper into sheer chaos, it becomes even
more surreal [complicated by a more intense smart-yet-maddening mixture
of modern slang and the diachronic language of the samurai era]. But
Ishii's eye-popping visuals - aided by Yoshiyuki Matsumoto’s exquisite
cinematography - propel this movie into a vibrant dimension seldom achieved
in the confines of live-action movie making. This is a masterpiece of
wonder and awe.
Gakuryű
Ishii (now known as Sogo Ishii) was born January 1958 in Hakata, Japan.
He is a film director and writer, often credited for introducing the
Cyberpunk Wave to Japanese Cinema. He also evolved into a major award-winning
filmmaker with the release of motion pictures like LABYRINTH
OF DREAMS and ANGEL
DUST.
A
Japanese film
with optional English subtitles, uncut 130 min, widescreen,
encoded for ALL REGION, playable on any American DVD machine.
Extras include the original Japanese theatrical trailer.
