Japan will offer up screenings for three films with a SF theme at Cannes. The most anticipated being “Sky Crawlers” from the legendary Mamoru Oshii (“Ghost in the Shell” and “Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence”).
“Sky Crawlers” takes place in an alternative universe where teenage fighter pilots battle each other in a never-ending war. They remain young as long as they survive. Critics have applauded the film for its spectacular dogfight sequences.
This one from Oshii isn’t quite as dependent on the viewer’s use of the cerebellum as his past projects have been, but is mostly just for fun and pure entertainement. “Sky Crawlers” will get a worldwide release on August 2, 2008.
Another Cannes premiere will be “20th Century Boys,” part one of a three-part story based on the popular Naoki Urasawa comic of the same name. Story centers on a convenience store manager who tries to stop a former friend, turned cult leader, from using his deadly gift for making his prophecies turn into reality. This one will first be seen in Japanese theaters on August 30, 2008 before making the jump worldwide.
The last SF film from Japan making a Cannes debut will be “Yattâman.” This will be Takashi Miike’s (“One Missed Call”) live-action adaptation of the iconic 1970s TV toon (1977-79). The dramedy storyline will be updated from its first 70’s television run which has good guys fighting and chasing after the baddies in robotic devices. Look for this one in theaters in the spring of 2009.
Leave a Reply