Friday, June 20, 2008
Poster for Kitano's latest, Achilles and the Tortoise
We had Yakusho Kôji's "toad" yesterday and Kitano's "tortoise" today. This will be the main poster visual for Achilles and the Tortoise (Akiresu to Kame,『アキレスと亀』) as run on Variety Japan today. Credits aren't in place, obviously.
The film gets released on September 20th in Japan, but with Kitano's strong relationship with the Venice film fest, it wouldn't be a surprise if it had its world premiere on the Lido.
Below is my piece on the film for Screen back in April.
Update: I didn't think to check the Office Kitano site to see whether an official site had opened yet, but it has -- here. You can see a large format trailer (click the + sign next to the small video window). The Orthodox film Kitano has been threatening to make has arrived. Thanks to Nippon Cinema for the tip-off.
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Kitano unveils new project Achilles And The Tortoise
Jason Gray in Tokyo
11 Apr 2008 01:47
Award-winning Japanese writer-director-actor Takeshi Kitano has unveiled details of his latest feature film, entitled Achilles And The Tortoise.
Details of the production were announced at the Nikkatsu Studios in Chofu City, with the press invited on the soundstages.
Kitano, also known for his paintings, found inspiration in past canvas embarrassments for the bittersweet life story of a talentless artist and the family and friends that support him along the way.
Kitano plays the lead role in the present day scenes with Kanako Higuchi (Memories Of Tomorrow) as his wife. Yurei Yanagi, who starred in Kitano's Boiling Point 18 years ago, and Kumiko Aso (Dororo) play the respective characters in their younger years.
Achilles And The Tortoise went into production in mid-February, with Kitano alternating one-week periods between acting in the lead role and directing duties. Kitano also wrote the original screenplay. Shooting has included location work in the Kanto region and Okayama Prefecture and is expected to wrap in the next week.
While Kitano's previous effort, 2007's Glory To The Filmmaker, got considerable press at home and overseas, even having an award named after it at last year's Venice Film Festival, domestic box office returns were disappointing. 2005's Takeshis' also failed financially and critically. "After my last two films, I'm approaching this one more seriously. Sometimes I want to make movies that pack audiences in," stated the multi-faceted talent.
Kitano's previous achievements include a Golden Lion for 1997's Hana-bi in Venice, where Kitano has won several other prizes and nominations. Kikujiro competed for the Palme d'Or in 1999 and period actioner Zatoichi won the People's Choice award in Toronto in 2003.
Achilles And The Tortoise is slated for release this autumn.
5 comments:
I don't know if I like my Kitano that orthodox. This looks down right subdued. That's not a bad thing...just different. Based off the trailer, this looks to have more dialogue than the normal Kitano film. We'll just have to see if it comes together. I can't wait to see it regardless.
I thought he might include some shots of the paintings coming to life, or Beat inside his paintings. I like the shot where his painting is getting jackhammered.
There seems to be quite a bit of man/machine-on-painting violence in the film! Subversive commentary or Kitano silliness? You be the judge.
i'm a fan of his work so it goes to say, i look forward to this film. although, i haven't seen his last few films. Hate the "region" dvd system! hopefully it'll get a screening in NYC.
Well, his recent films are subtitled in English on the R2 DVDs. Beggars can't be choosers I guess.
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