PRESENTS
NIPPON EIGA SERIES: PART #21

NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE OF
GOEMON
Japan | 2009 | 128 min. | 35mm film | Japanese with English Subtitles

Wednesday, November 4th – Doors open 6:15pm – Film starts 7:00pm
The ImaginAsian, 239 East 59th Street (Bet. 2nd & 3rd Ave.), NYC
For RSVP: http://www.newyork-tokyo.com/wp/goemon

SYNOPSIS

In 1582, the mighty warlord Nobunaga was betrayed by his retainer, Mitsuhide. The cruel Hideyoshi subjugated Mitsuhide’s warriors and took over as Ruler of the Kingdom of Japan.

Master thief Goemon – the Japanese Robin Hood – steals a wooden box once owned by Mitsuhide. Hideyoshi’s men, including Lord Mitsunari and his legendary ninja Saizo, are after the box and Goemon finds himself fighting for his life. He discovers evidence inside the box of the secret pact between Mitsuhide and Hideyoshi to assassinate Nobunaga. This revelation would tear Japan apart. Moreover Nobunaga was like a father to Goemon – the betrayal could not be more personal.

Goemon enters Osaka Castle, intent on killing Hideyoshi, and finds the beautiful Princess Chacha. Hideyoshi’s guards attack, and it is only through the surprise intervention of Saizo that Goemon is saved.

As youths, Saizo and Goemon trained together under Nobunaga. Goemon was assigned as Princess Chacha’s bodyguard and fell in love. After their master’s death, Saizo chose duty and went to work for Mitsunari. Goemon chose freedom.

When Hideyoshi announces his plans to invade Korea and China, making clear his intention to drag Japan into decades of brutal warfare, Lord Ieyasu convinces Princess Chacha to become Hideyoshi’s concubine so that she can betray him – a painful decision as her heart belongs to Goemon. Hungry for power, Mitsunari orders Saizo to kill Hideyoshi.

Goemon and Saizo mount an incendiary attack on Hideyoshi’s ships, but Saizo is captured and later put to death. Goemon storms Osaka Castle, single-handedly killing most of Hideyoshi’s men in a breathtaking display of martial prowess, before slaying Hideyoshi and escaping with Chacha. But with Hideyoshi dead, the armies of Mitsunari and Ieyasu face off to determine the new ruler of Japan by force. Goemon must return to the battlefield one last time if he is to bring peace to his country…

Warning: This film contains graphic content and may not be suitable for minors

© “GOEMON” FILM PARTNERS

DIRECTOR: KAZUAKI KIRIYA

Born in Kumamoto, Japan in 1968. Kiriya is a visionary director with works in photography, screen play and directing films and music videos. Kiriya’s highly stylized debut film Casshern is well regarded with it’s impressive execution. He has also directed Utada Hikaru music videos as well. Kiriya has taken a diverse role in GOEMON as the Director, Screenplay, DP, Editor, Producer, and Production credit.

CAST

Goemon Ishikawa: Yosuke Eguchi (Children of the Dark, Shaolin Girl)
Saizo Kirigakure: Takao Osawa (Halfway, Ichi)
Chacha Asai: Ryoko Hirosue (Zero Focus, Departures)
Mitsunari Ishida: Jun Kaname (Blood, K-20: Legend of the Mask)
Sasuke Sarutobi: Gori (Furimun in Okinawa, Utatama)
Rikyu Sen: Mikijiro Hira (Azumi 2, Pistol Opera)
Ieyasu Tokugawa: Masatô Ibu (Rookies the Movie: Graduation, Achilles and the Tortoise)
Matahachi: Tetsuji Tamayama (Hagetaka, Waiting for Happiness)
Nobunaga Oda: Hashinosuké Nakamura (Downtown Heroes)
Hideyoshi Hideyoshi: Eiji Okuda (Be Sure to Share, Out of the Wind)