The official website for Takashi Miike's 3-D jidaigeki film Ichimei is now online, although at present it's just a home page. Ichimei is based on the novel Ibun rônin-ki by Yasuhiko Takiguchi. (Masaki Kobayashi's 1962 film Harakiri (Seppuku) was based on the same novel.) It stars Ebizô Ichikawa XI. Shochiku Co. Ltd. (Shôchiku K.K.) plans to release Ichimei theatrically in Japan in October. Ichimei official website News source: The Gomorrahizer (source of Takashi Miike-related news for over half a decade!)
The English-language title of Ichimei is "Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai". Distribution rights for the film are now being offered for sale by HanWay Films Limited. The screenplay for Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai was written by Kikumi Yamagishi, based on the novel Ibun rônin-ki by Yasuhiko Takiguchi. The film stars Ebizô Ichikawa XI as Hanshirô Tsugumo, Eita as Motome Chijiiwa, Hikari Mitsushima as Miho Tsugumo, and Kôji Yakusho as Kageyu Saitô. It was scored by Ryûichi Sakamoto. Here's a synopsis for Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai from the production: "Seeking an honorable end, poverty-stricken samurai Hanshiro requests to commit hara-kiri in the courtyard of feudal lord Kageyu's estate. Trying to dismiss Hanshiro's wish to save face, Kageyu recounts the tragic story of a similar plea years ago from young ronin Motome. But the arrogant lord is unaware of vengeful Hanshiro's bond to Motome..." Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai is set to be screened in competition at this year's Cannes Film Festival, which runs from May 11th to May 22nd. Those who are interested in Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai may also wish to check out the official website for Hitoshi Matsumoto's Saya-zamurai. Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai official website * * * Saya-zamurai official website (w/ theatrical trailer)
A teaser trailer for Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai has been added to YouTube. BTW, there's also an English-subtitled version of the second teaser trailer for Miike's Ninja Kids!!! (Nintama Rantarô) on YouTube. YouTube: Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai teaser trailer Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai official website * * * YouTube: Ninja Kids!!! English-subtitled teaser trailer #2 Ninja Kids!!! official subsite
Three English-subtitled clips from Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai have been added to YouTube. YouTube: Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai English-subtitled clip #1 YouTube: Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai English-subtitled clip #2 YouTube: Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai English-subtitled clip #3 YouTube: Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai teaser trailer Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai official website
Linked to immediately below is the Screen Daily review of Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai. Screen Daily: Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai review YouTube: Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai English-subtitled clip #1 YouTube: Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai English-subtitled clip #2 YouTube: Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai English-subtitled clip #3 YouTube: Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai teaser trailer Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai official website
Linked to immediately below is the Variety review of Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai. Variety: Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai review Screen Daily: Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai review YouTube: Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai English-subtitled clip #1 YouTube: Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai English-subtitled clip #2 YouTube: Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai English-subtitled clip #3 YouTube: Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai teaser trailer Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai official website
Linked to immediately below is The Hollywood Reporter review of Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai. The Hollywood Reporter: Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai review Variety: Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai review Screen Daily: Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai review YouTube: Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai English-subtitled clip #1 YouTube: Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai English-subtitled clip #2 YouTube: Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai English-subtitled clip #3 YouTube: Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai teaser trailer Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai official website
The English-language title of Hitoshi Matsumoto's aforementioned Saya-zamurai is "Scabbard Samurai". Shochiku Co. Ltd. (Shôchiku K.K.) is scheduled to release Scabbard Samurai theatrically in Japan on June 11th. The movie is set to have its international (i.e., outside-of-Japan) première at this year's Locarno International Film Festival (Festival del film Locarno) in Switzerland, which runs from August 3rd to August 13th. YouTube: Scabbard Samurai theatrical trailer Scabbard Samurai official website * * * YouTube: Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai English-subtitled clip #1 YouTube: Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai English-subtitled clip #2 YouTube: Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai English-subtitled clip #3 YouTube: Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai teaser trailer Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai official website
A theatrical trailer for Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai has been added to YouTube. YouTube: Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai theatrical trailer YouTube: Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai teaser trailer YouTube: Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai English-subtitled clip #1 YouTube: Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai English-subtitled clip #2 YouTube: Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai English-subtitled clip #3 Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai official website
A teaser trailer for Miike's The Legend of Love & Sincerity (Ai to makoto) has been added to YouTube. That movie stars Emi Takei as Ai Saotome and Satoshi Tsumabuki as Makoto Taiga. Kadokawa Pictures (Kadokawa Shoten Co. Ltd. / K.K. Kadokawa Shoten) and Toei Company Ltd. (Tôei K.K.) are scheduled to release it theatrically in Japan on June 16th of next year. YouTube: The Legend of Love & Sincerity teaser trailer
Above is a flyer for The Legend of Love & Sincerity. Also, the official website for the movie is now online. The screenplay for The Legend of Love & Sincerity was written by Takayuki Takuma, based on the eponymous manga serial by Ikki Kajiwara (story) and Takumi Nagayasu (drawings). BTW, Kajiwara (1936-1987), né Asaki Takamori, was the elder brother of Hisao Maki (b. 1940), né Matsuchi Takamori. YouTube: The Legend of Love & Sincerity teaser trailer The Legend of Love & Sincerity official website News source: The Colostomizer
A theatrical trailer for The Legend of Love & Sincerity has been added to YouTube. YouTube: The Legend of Love & Sincerity theatrical trailer YouTube: The Legend of Love & Sincerity teaser trailer The Legend of Love & Sincerity official website
A special trailer for The Legend of Love & Sincerity has been added to YouTube. The movie is set to be screened at this year's Cannes Film Festival, which runs from May 16th to May 27th. YouTube: The Legend of Love & Sincerity special trailer YouTube: The Legend of Love & Sincerity theatrical trailer YouTube: The Legend of Love & Sincerity teaser trailer The Legend of Love & Sincerity official website
The English-language title of Miike's Ai to makoto has been changed from "The Legend of Love & Sincerity" to "For Love's Sake". Here's a description of For Love's Sake from the production: "Out of Japan's West Side Story, Miike has created a unique form of hardcore love entertainment! ¶ One day, the delinquent Makoto suddenly appears in front of Ai, an innocent A-student from a rich family who attends Aobadai High School. The moment she spots Makoto, she recognizes the scar on his forehead - a scar she had given him by accident at a ski resort during childhood. Assuming that his bad behavior is caused by the scar, Ai feels responsible for his actions and decides to help him pull himself together. Ai secretly arranges for him to transfer to Aobadai, but this 'favor' proves to be an unwelcome one for Makoto. Her kindness is returned only with more bad behavior. ¶ After trouble with the police, Makoto is kicked out of Aobadai and transferred to Hanazono High School, a notorious gang swamp. Makoto easily fights his way through the dangerous gang scene, and is welcomed by Yuki, the queen of Hanazono. Ai brushes aside her parents' objection and transfers to Hanazono, patiently devoting herself trusting that he can change. It makes Yuki realize her feelings for Makoto. Her feeling unreturned, Yuki decides to lure Makoto into battle by taking Ai as a hostage. Can Makoto save her life and win the battle?" BTW, if you haven't already done so, be sure to watch the four teaser trailers for Hitoshi Takekiyo's anime feature After School Midnighters (Hôkago middonaitâzu)! YouTube: For Love's Sake special trailer YouTube: For Love's Sake theatrical trailer YouTube: For Love's Sake teaser trailer For Love's Sake official website * * * YouTube: After School Midnighters teaser trailer #4 YouTube: After School Midnighters teaser trailer #3 YouTube: After School Midnighters teaser trailer #2 YouTube: After School Midnighters teaser trailer #1 After School Midnighters official website News source: The Gomorrahizer
Filmoria: For Love's Sake review http://www.filmoria.co.uk/2012/05/cannes-film-festival-2012-ai-to-makoto-for-loves-sake-review/ YouTube: For Love's Sake special trailer YouTube: For Love's Sake theatrical trailer YouTube: For Love's Sake teaser trailer For Love's Sake official website
A teaser trailer for Miike's Lesson of the Evil (Aku no kyôten) has been added to YouTube. Here's a synopsis for Lesson of the Evil from the production: "Seiji Hasumi (32) is an instructor at Shinko Academy, a private high school. He is a model teacher, extremely popular with the students and well respected by the faculty and the PTA. However, one of the students, Reika Katagiri (17), feels something menacing lurking beneath his shining reputation. Hasumi brilliantly solves one problem after another, from a teacher-student sexual harassment to group cheating to bullying, and starts to take control of the school. Specifically, the boss of the bullies gets expelled because of his violent behavior. A 'monster parent' dies at home in a fire started by an arsonist. The problems go away, but Reika is uneasy about the way they are solved. Masanobu Tsurii (55), an unpopular teacher in the school, despises the popular Hasumi. He starts investigating Hasumi's past and discovers that many people he was involved with have already died. Hasumi, who had hidden listening devices around the school, finds out how Tsurii is looking into his past, so he kills him one day on the train and makes it look like suicide. Hasumi also murders a male student, who was trying to get back at Hasumi for catching him cheat on a test. In his true nature, Hasumi is a psychopath, a man who cannot feel empathy toward other people. Since he was a child, he has killed people who got in his way. He even killed his own parents when they realized what he was doing. Soon, Hasumi becomes physically involved with Miya Yasuhara, a female student who he helped in a sexual harassment incident, and Miya starts to sense his evildoings. Hasumi finds out about Miya's suspicion and decides that she must be eliminated..." YouTube: Lesson of the Evil teaser trailer Lesson of the Evil official website News source: The Gomorrahizer
A theatrical trailer for Lesson of the Evil has been added to YouTube. YouTube: Lesson of the Evil theatrical trailer YouTube: Lesson of the Evil teaser trailer Lesson of the Evil official website
A trailer for Fumio Nomoto's 4-episode made-for-mobile movie Lesson of the Evil: Prologue (Aku no kyôten: joshô) has been added to YouTube. YouTube: Lesson of the Evil: Prologue trailer Lesson of the Evil: Prologue official subsite YesAsia.com: Lesson of the Evil: Prologue Japanese sale DVD * * * YouTube: Lesson of the Evil theatrical trailer YouTube: Lesson of the Evil teaser trailer Lesson of the Evil official website
A theatrical trailer for Miike's Straw Shield (Wara no tate) has been added to YouTube. BTW, if you haven't already done so, be sure to watch the teaser trailers for Kiyoshi Kurosawa's Real (Riaru: kanzen naru kubinagaryû no hi) and Shion Sono's Why Don't You Play in Hell? (Jigoku de naze warui). YouTube: Straw Shield theatrical trailer YouTube: Straw Shield teaser trailer YouTube: Straw Shield 15-second TV commercial * * * YouTube: Real teaser trailer YouTube: Why Don't You Play in Hell? teaser trailer Source: gomorrahizer's channel
CN Entertainment Ltd. is scheduled to release Lesson of the Evil on both DVD (NTSC, region 3, English subtitles) and Blu-ray (region A, English subtitles) in Hong Kong on May 30th; the DVD and Blu-ray are available for pre-order from DDDHouse.com (Haus Ltd.). BTW, if you haven't already done so, be sure to watch the teaser trailers for Shion Sono's Why Don't You Play in Hell? (Jigoku de naze warui). YouTube: Lesson of the Evil theatrical trailer YouTube: Lesson of the Evil teaser trailer YouTube: Lesson of the Evil & Lesson of the Evil: Prologue TV spot Lesson of the Evil official website DDDHouse.com: Lesson of the Evil H.K. DVD DDDHouse.com: Lesson of the Evil H.K. Blu-ray YouTube: Lesson of the Evil: Prologue trailer Lesson of the Evil: Prologue official subsite * * * YouTube: Why Don't You Play in Hell? English-subtitled teaser trailer #2 YouTube: Why Don't You Play in Hell? teaser trailer #1 Why Don't You Play in Hell? official website News source: Takashi Miike dot-com
