Zatoichi
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Tue 25 May 2004 // 20:00
*
ZATOICHI
(Takeshi / 2003 / Japan (subtitled) / 115mins / cert18)
(Tues 25th- Wed 26th / 8pm / £4/3/2ttt)
Here's another chance to catch this hotly talked-about fantastical action-drama that marks a partial return to the director's violent, comic roots after the emotive DOLLS. Kitano's eponymous hero is the striking figure of a blind masseur in 19th century Japan. The story is simplicity itself, a tale of justice and retribution as our hero shuffles into a small rural town overrun by petty official corruption and a gang of mobsters led by Ginzo (Kishibe). Here he comes head to head with a reticent wandering samurai, who has soon entered Ginzo's employ as a mercenary in order to pay for the treatment of his sick wife. He also teams up with Okinu and Osei, a pair of beautiful sisters masquerading as dancers who, as they seek revenge for the murder of their parents, may not quite be all they seem.
Putting Stateside pretenders (Quentin and co.)in the shade, this is classic samuri cinema updated with plenty of mayhem, music. You may be reminded of Kurosawa's sweeping 'Seven Samurai', then suddenly of 'Singing In The Rain'. Zatoichi sees Kitano back on triumphant form as both Takeshi behind the camera and Beat in front of it. An unashamed crowd-pleaser, broadening his appeal beyond the foreign arthouse and cult circuits with his most polished and accessible film to date.
(Takeshi / 2003 / Japan (subtitled) / 115mins / cert18)
(Tues 25th- Wed 26th / 8pm / £4/3/2ttt)
Here's another chance to catch this hotly talked-about fantastical action-drama that marks a partial return to the director's violent, comic roots after the emotive DOLLS. Kitano's eponymous hero is the striking figure of a blind masseur in 19th century Japan. The story is simplicity itself, a tale of justice and retribution as our hero shuffles into a small rural town overrun by petty official corruption and a gang of mobsters led by Ginzo (Kishibe). Here he comes head to head with a reticent wandering samurai, who has soon entered Ginzo's employ as a mercenary in order to pay for the treatment of his sick wife. He also teams up with Okinu and Osei, a pair of beautiful sisters masquerading as dancers who, as they seek revenge for the murder of their parents, may not quite be all they seem.
Putting Stateside pretenders (Quentin and co.)in the shade, this is classic samuri cinema updated with plenty of mayhem, music. You may be reminded of Kurosawa's sweeping 'Seven Samurai', then suddenly of 'Singing In The Rain'. Zatoichi sees Kitano back on triumphant form as both Takeshi behind the camera and Beat in front of it. An unashamed crowd-pleaser, broadening his appeal beyond the foreign arthouse and cult circuits with his most polished and accessible film to date.