Fantasia Film Festival 2014: RUROUNI KENSHIN - KYOTO INFERNO Review by Ous Zaim

New to the franchise, i didn't know what to expect. But the results were great! Colorful cast of characters set in a late 1800 feudal Japan backdrop, KENSHIN picks up the pace from the get go. Extremely engaging with its super-speed sword fighting choreography. Dreamy eyed, soft spoken, hope inspiring, Kenshin is a pony-tail having, sword carrying Sonic The Hedgehog. I love character driven stories! And this movie is fucking poetic. Also, this is a second entry to feature actor Tatsuya Fujiwara in FANTASIA 2014 and this performance highly redeems him for the let-down that is MONSTERZ. Go discover something new, foreign and exciting in KENSHIN!

Fantasia Film Festival 2014: Interview with Director/Co-writer Keishi Otomo & Executive Producer Hiroyoshi Koiwai of the Rurouni Kenshin Film Series

Last year at Fantasia, the first live-action film based off the popular Weekly Shonen Jump manga, Rurouni Kenshin created by Nobuhiro Watsuki. The Canadian premiered in front of a sold out crowd. The film thrilled and wowed the Fantasia audience to a massive standing ovation. Due to the box office success of the first film, director and co-writer Keishi Otomo returns to the franchise to cover the classic Kyoto Arc from the manga. The Kyoto Arc is split up into two films: Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Taika-hen and Rurouni Kenshin: Densetsu no Saigo-hen. Kyoto Taika-hen was released in Japan on August 1st to box office records and Fantasia hosted to the international premiere on August 3rd. Meanwhile Densetsu will be premiering in Japan next month. Both Otomo and Executive Producer Hiroyoshi Koiwai had been busy traveling and promoting both films across the globe. CBNAH staff writer Panagiotis Drakopoulos was able to interview both Otomo and Koiwai to discuss the film series, Watsuki's thoughts on the first film, the intense training that the actors went through and more.

FROM THE ASHES: Segment # 12

Legend of the Wandering Samurai

   This week's featured OVA has a special place in my heart. Back in 1999 when this first came out, it was one of the early strong examples representing the elegance and grace that anime was capable of exemplifying. This short series is certainly nothing to be glazed over. A masterpiece of all around film; it continues to be considered a must see on everyone's list. This OVA ( original video animation) when initially released, was divided into four episodes but later released as two separate two hour long feature films: Trust And Betrayal, and Reflections. The first film chronologically serves as a prequel to the beloved anime series Rurouni Kenshin (1996-1998). The second films serves as a conclusion to the anime series. However the mangas author, Nobuhiro Watsuki, does not consider the second film as official canon, so it should be considered an alternate ending. The anime series is based on the manga, both written and illustrated by Nobuhiro Watsuki (1970-). Trust And Betrayal was directed by Kazuhiro Furuhashi (1960-), who also directed the Rurouni Kenshin anime series, as well as: Ranma 1/2, Hunter X Hunter, Getbackers, Le Chevalier D'eon, Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn, and numerous other series. The series was produced at Studio Deen, a derivative of Sunrise Studios. Studio Deen has been part of so many anime production processes, it would be silly to list them all, but some I consider noteworthy are: Angels Egg, Patlabor, Knight Hunters, Fruits Basket, Read Or Die, Samurai Deeper Kyo, Kyo Kara Maoh!, Fate/stay Night, Ranma 1/2, and of course the tv/ova for Rurouni Kenshin. Impressive right? Another impressive addition to this ova's roster is its beautiful score, composed by Taku Iwasaki (1968-). Known for his often jazz themed scores, the "historical drama" setting seems a bit off, but he truly does deliver. Other works of his include: Now And Then Here And There, Read Or Die, The Soul Taker, Sadamitsu The Destroyer, Getbackers, Witch Hunter Robin, Gurren Lagann, Black Cat, Soul Eater, Jo Jo's Bizarre Adventure, Origin: Spirits Of The Past, and many more. That sums up the credits; now for the more difficult part: analyzing the film itself.

   Oh my word...shiny! Hear me out. I know this story holds a plethora of philosophical and psychological goodies, but I absolutely must acknowledge the stunning beauty of this ova. This is from 1999. Now I know there are many lovely films that date back even further, but still, this is quite an impressive feat. The level of intricacy and attention to the tiniest detail here is astounding. From every strand of hair to the subtle folds in every piece of clothing; the characters look beautiful. This ova has a much more crisp and realistic style than the anime series, thus alluding the concept of a darker, more realistic take on that part of Kenshins journey. Not only the people, but the landscape, settings, and everyday items are rendered in exquisite quality. In a dinner scene, the texture of a cooked fish breaking into pieces as it's lifted by chopsticks, is so expertly animated, that one occasionally forgets they are watching anime. There are many such moments throughout. The fluid motions of characters far more often than not, are flawless. Each movement in a battle sequences is quick, sharp, and graceful: worthy attributes of the samurai fighting technique. Speaking of fluids, however, oh how the blood spills. This is still anime, so you do get your crazy blood spraying every which way, but it's not actually over done, which I believe makes each incursion more impactful. There is much more that can be said for the visuals, but the story, themes, and ideologies brought forth here even more impressive and complex. Aside from the overhead themes of trust and betrayal, some additional themes and concepts expressed here are: loss of innocence, pride, consequence of violence, manipulation, duality, greed retaining ones humanity, corruption of ideals, vengeance, inner peace, love honor, mans ignorance, the vicious cycles in war, redemption, and countless others. Truly, this story has so much to offer, so much to inspire; it's far more than a blood fest. I dare not delve further with details, for if there was any film I would hope would be sought out, this would be one such film. It's quite an experience. From its evocative and stunning visuals to its sorrowful and beautiful score, animation and design, philosophical and ideological notions, the intricacies of this story make it an all-around masterwork. For audio preference, my own is the English cast. The subdued performance of J. Shannon Weaver as Kenshin Himura is especially noteworthy, in my own opinion. He adds a successful notch in the legacy of the character of Kenshin. Considered one of not only the greatest samurais in anime, but also one of the most epic characters in anime; Kenshin is truly a fine example of badassery. Honestly, I could write far more about Kenshins character, but I prefer you see it for yourself. Not a story to miss! Enjoy!


From The Ashes, V.~

Even More Fantasia Film Festival Reviews..!

Fantasia Film Festival: The Battery Review by Oz & Panagiotis Drakopoulos

Oz’s Take: THE BATTERY. WHO IS THE BATTERY? MICKEY (Actor/Producer Adam Cronheim)? BEN (Director/Writer/Producer/Actor Jeremy Gardner)? ME? YOU? Fuck zombie movies, fuck them all compared to this low budget masterpiece. I’ve seen it all “being an old man,” but this one, this one sparked my imagination.

I talked with the guys from the film and I can't say that I didn't leave impressed. Aggressive, energetic, projective, intense, personal, and ambitious, these fellas had all the proper dealing/recipe to make a fuck you soup. Fuck you standing for imagination, representation and expression, and not genital exercise. A beautiful zombie flick yet light on the zombies. The human person was the main star here. You are like this, I am like this but what WE are at the end of the world where our only neighbours/contact to walking flesh is zombies? Oh but don't say the z word, Mickey has issues dealing with this. Why? Cuz he has issues of letting go, letting go of yesterday, letting go of sanity, letting go of comfort and security. This new world isn't here to welcome you or hug you or keep you warm, this world is here to strip you bear boned. This world is here to fucking measure your mettle and what you are willing to do to survive. Ben is your guide to this reality and Mickey is a false hope that wants you to stick to your yesterday. A journey that tests both men to their limits, it was a pleasure and an honour being included on the ride.

Panagiotis’ Take: The Battery is one of those films that will leave you wanting more. Wanting you to feel uneasy and asking questions about humanity. The premise of the film follows two former baseball players Ben (Jeremy Gardner) and Mickey (Adam Cronheim) trying to survive the zombie apocalypse. Tension mounts between the two. Ben feels at easy living a nomadic and undomesticated life. While Mickey is unable to cope with his current living conditions and wants a static lifestyle, a bed, a woman, shelter, and to be social with human life (outside of Ben). The constant fighting between them leads to many twists and turn, and an horrifying ending. The Battery could easily take place in the same universe as The Walking Dead television series or any of George A. Romero zombie film. With a budget about $6000, this film does more with less. It’s all the story and the human drama of two people trying to survive in a world run by zombies. The Battery is a film that everyone should check out and experience for themselves. A true hidden gem and a game changer to the horror genre. 

Fantasia Film Festival: DOOMSDAYS Review by Panagiotis Drakopoulos

DOOMSDAYS is one of the most unique films I’ve ever seen. It’s a comedy about preparing for the apocalypse. The story is about two friends Dirty Fred (Justin Rice) and Bruno (Leo Fitzpatrick) who are uncertain about the future due to the declining petroleum resources will lead to the collapse of the modern world. Instead of waiting for the end, both men decide to live life as a couple of vagabonds. Breaking into vacant homes and staying there until they run out of supplies or when the home owners return. This becomes a daily routine until they meet with up a runaway teenage named Jaidon (Brian Charles Johnson) and a woman at a party named Reyna (Laura Campbell) join the duo on their travels. This leads into huge shift within the group. DOOMSDAYS is great film with an awesome cast and a very original concept. The principal cast has a special bond between them, to a point where these fictional characters feel like real people. This from a strong script and direction from writer/director Eddie Mullins. I enjoy watching the film and planning on watching it again at the festival. I highly recommend this film and look forward for Mr. Mullins next project.     

Fantasia Film Festival: Rurouni Kenshin Review by Panagiotis Drakopoulos

Rurouni Kenshin is based on the popular manga(comic) of the same name, created by Nobuhiro Watsuki, which appeared in Weekly Shonen Jump back in the mid 90s. The two plus hour film was able to cover the first major story arc of the comic. With some minor changes to the original source material. The film follows a wanderer named Himura Kenshin (Takeru Satoh), who wants to spend his days in peace. But a decade prior, he was a former assassin with a bloody past known as “Hitokiri Battosai.” While on his journey he meets the lovely and compassionate Kamiya Kaoru (Emi Takei) the owner of her late father’s dojo. After this faithful encounter between the two, Kenshin must wield his sword again to take down an evil businessman named Takeda Kenryu (Teruyuki Kagawa). Rurouni Kenshin is the perfect film for both a male and female audience. Insane and over the top action scenes mix with romance and a sprinkle of comedy all around. There are some issues I do have with the film. Some of the comedy bits during the most dramatic scenes in the film felt in weird and out of place, and trying to compress a long a comic story into a 135 minute film felt overwhelming. Yet, this is still a great film that got a loud applause from the audience when the credits rolled on screen. If Rurouni Kenshin is playing at your local cinema or film festival I highly recommend for you to watch this film.