ANA_EIGA14_Sanjuro

“This is a dream and this is a challenge! Of what today’s Japanese filmmakers can do in return to a favor for our seniors” Director Haruki Kadokawa states, in his vision for the new update to this famous classic SANJURO. Originally an Akira Kurosawa and Toshino Mifune film from 1962, the story is shed upon with a new cast and filmmaking crew. RSVP and more information about attending this free screening after the jump.

PRESENTS
NIPPON EIGA SERIES: PART #14

SANJURO

EAST COAST PREMIERE

Japan | 2007 | 119 min. | Japanese with English subtitles

Wednesday, October 15th, 2008
Doors Open 6:15pm, Screening starts 7:00pm
The ImaginAsian: 239 East 59th Street, NYC

This is a remake of SANJURO (1962) of Akira Kurosawa and Toshiro Mifune. The first time ever and the first title ever in the motion picture history of Japan, the remake is planned and realized from the master-works of the director Kurosawa.“This is a dream and this is a challenge! Of what we today’s Japanese filmmakers can do and return a favor to our seniors.“ The executive producer of this recast, Haruki Kadokawa, who acquired the remake rights to this film SANJURO, as well as to another Kurosawa title YOJIMBO, proudly proclaimed when he made an announcement of this project. To helm this challenging remake, one of the most acclaimed Japanese directors of today, Yoshimitsu Morita (“Lost paradise” “The Family Game” “Kitchen”) was appointed. “I always wanted to revive SANJURO and make a film about him with today’s actors and actresses in Japan.” he said. The producer and director could not find anybody more suitable than Yuji Oda (“Bayside Shakedown” “Whiteout”) for the role of Sanjuro in their edition.Now with all the new filmmakers, cast and crew set in place, the entertainment Samurai action, based on the original script written by the legendary trio, Akira Kurosawa, Ryuzo Kikushima and Hideo Oguni, for the 1962 Kurosawa version, SANJURO is bask on the big screen.

© 2007 KADOAWA HARUKI CORPORATION / TOHO CO., LTD./ AVEX ENTERTAINMENT INC./ TV Asahi /ASAHI BROADCASTING CORPORATION / NAGOYA BROADCASTING NETWORK CO., LTD. / I.N.P. inc./ FIELDS CORPORATION / TOKYO FM / Quaras INC.

Story During the 1868 War of the Restoration, there is a group of nine young revolutionary samurai at a run-down shrine, weary of the corruption within their clan, plotting to clean up the wrongdoings under Majordomo Kurofoi. In comes Sanjuro, an unshaven, unwashed, one-sword, masterless samurai. Upon the ransacking of the shrine, he is offered a passionate request for his cooperation with the revolutionaries. Can Sanjuro come to the rescue call of these nine inspired visionaries? Even when his arch nemesis arrives, under the Kurofoi banner?Just about 150 years ago in old Japan, during the period with the glimpsing dawn of the 1868 War of the Restoration, one night, a group of nine young revolutionary samurai at a run-down shrine, weary of the corruption rampant in their clan, plotting to clean up the wrongdoing, particularly of Under Majordomo Kurofuji. They had sent up a position document to the Chief Retainer, Mutsuda, an uncle of one of the young samurai, Isaka, however, Mutsuda had dismissed their claim on site, by tearing up the document. Disappointed, Isaka had solicited the aid of Chief Inspector Kikui, who had agreed readily and called for a meeting with the high-souled youngsters. They gathered together with high hope.Overhearing the conversation, from a backroom of the abandoned shrine, entered Sanjuro – unshaven, unwashed, one-sword master-less samurai, accusing Kikui was not their savior rather he might be their most dreadful enemy. The youngsters contested to the vulgar mysterious samurai. He noticed something was wrong outside. The shrine, and the group, was surrounded by the troop sent by Kikui, to keep down the rebel. Sanjuro commanded the youngsters to hide and let him out alone in front of the troop that was about to move in to make arrest. With his quick and strong swordplay, he beat up the troop, ending up facing a sharp-eyed samurai, the troop commander Muroto. He called off the attack and gave Sanjuro an offer to join them for a good pay. Sanjuro shrugged it off.Back in the shrine, the young samurai offered an apology and asked Sanjuro for cooperation. Could not stand just watching, he accepted their wish.Heading back to Mutsuda’s mansion, Sanjuro and the nine youngsters found that the Chief Retainer had been kidnapped and his wife and daughter were penned up. Sanjuro saved the wife and daughter, and they, in addition, took captive of an enermy samurai on guard.Sanjuro and the group took Mutsuda’s wife, daughter and the captive to a house that one of the nine youngster’s family owned, which happened to be right next to a mansion owned by Under Majordomo Kurofuji, an ally of Kikui.With his fast-moving sword and incisive wit, Sanjuro threw himself behind the enemy line to rescue the confined Chief Retainer Mutsuda and, braving danger, to bring the dark deep of Under-Majordomo Kurofuji to light. In the enemy territory, however, there stood in his way, the sharp-eyed, hard-bitten nemesis, Muroto.