Return to tiff.’s home page

Bunraku

Bunraku

Guy Moshe

  • Country: USA
  • Year: 2010
  • Language: English
  • Producer: Keith Calder, Jessica Wu, Nava Levin, Ram Bergman
  • Executive Producer: David Matalon
  • Screenplay: Guy Moshe
  • Runtime: 118
  • Programmes:

In a world with no guns, a mysterious drifter (Josh Hartnett), a young samurai and a bartender (Woody Harrelson) plot revenge against a ruthless leader (Ron Perlman) and his army of thugs, headed by nine diverse and deadly assassins. This visually stunning film is filled with uniquely choreographed action sequences of a new style that melds east with west and old school with new. The film also stars Demi Moore.

Action,  First Time Feature,  Violence,  Western

screening times


official description

In a hyperreal, hyper-saturated, hyper-driven dystopia, guns are banned upon pain of death and the sword is now king.

Nicola the Woodcutter (Ron Perlman) is the most powerful man east of the Atlantic, a shadowy crime boss who rules with an iron fist with the help of nine diverse assassins and the Red Gang, a force not to be trifled with. His right-hand man is Killer #2 (Kevin McKidd), a cold-hearted, smooth-talking, toe-tapping murderer dressed in red and wielding a deadly blade without remorse. The citizens live in fear of this pack of wolves, and wait for the hero who can overthrow the tyrant.

One night, a man (Josh Hartnett) walks into the bar of the local insurgent (Woody Harrelson) and desires two things: a shot of whisky and to kill Nicola. Soon, another stranger enters the bar, a samurai named Yoshi (played by Japanese pop star GACKT). Yoshi wants to avenge his father by taking back a talisman that Nicola stole from his clan. Armed with crossed destinies and incredible fighting skills, the two set out on a journey, breaking bones and cracking heads in search for Nicola.

In an amalgam of samurai film, spaghetti western and chop socky – and using a stylish blend of neo-noir, German expressionism and Russian futurism – director Guy Moshe’s Bunraku is nothing short of ambitious. Characters in the world of Bunraku spin and ricochet against a backdrop that resembles a pop-up-book made of origami, ever-changing and whirring like a steam driven Victorian theatre set. It is a universe driven by pugilistic force, delivered in a brash style of amazing physical combat sequences by stunt coordinator Clayton Barber and fight choreographer Larnell Stovall that evoke Gene Kelly by way of Bloodsport. Hartnett will surprise many with his presence as the man with no name, played with a steely perfection and ripped straight out of a Western, while GACKT channels Toshiro Mifune's stone cold devotion to a mission.

Completely unique while drawing upon a myriad of classical influences, Bunraku emerges as a visually stunning and adrenaline pumping blend of flavours old and new, east and west.

Colin Geddes

director bio

Guy Moshe grew up in Ramat HaSharon, Israel and studied film and philosophy at Hunter College in New York. He wrote and directed the short films A Matter of Statistics (00), ?! (01) and Tomorrow (09), as well as the feature film Holly (07). Bunraku (10) is his second feature film.

full credits

Principal Cast: Josh Hartnett, Woody Harrelson, GACKT, Kevin McKidd, Ron Perlman, Demi Moore
Producer: Keith Calder, Jessica Wu, Nava Levin, Ram Bergman
Executive Producer: David Matalon
Cinematographer: Juan Ruiz-Anchia
Editor: Zach Staenberg, Glenn Garland
Sound: Scott Hecker
Music: Terence Blanchard
Production Designer: Chris Farmer
   
International Sales Agent: IM Global
Production Company: Snoot Entertainment/Picturesque Films
.
Shopping Cart
 

    Share This

    • Digg
    • Share

    Like This

    film stills and media

     
    Pause Slideshow