If you're a fan of chanbara dramas--those sensitive, occasionally weepy samurai films that pop up every year or so--then you've probably already seen director Hideyuki Hirayama' Sword of Desperation. Well, if not the actual film, then some configuration of it in this subgenre populated with reluctant, but expert swordsmen, unrequited love, and feudal intrigues that threaten to destroy the salt-of-the-Earth poor and the noble middle class. I won't knock Sword of Desperation for over-familiarity--it's a genre that done well, I love and when done expertly, I'll allow to break my heart a little bit. I think Yôji Yamada's Twilight Samurai is the peak of the form. And now that I'm starting to talk about other films, I realize that I should really say something about...
- 7/10/2011
- Screen Anarchy
The official website for Tetsuo Shinohara’s upcoming jidaigeki film Ogawa no Hotori has been updated with a 55-second trailer.
Based on a story by the late Shuhei Fujisawa (The Twilight Samurai, Sword of Desperation), the film revolves around a samurai named Inui Sakunosuke (Noriyuki Higashiyama) who is given a mission of vengeance from his clan. However, his assassination target is a man named Sakuma Morie, the husband of his younger sister, Tazu (Rinko Kikuchi). Thus, Sakunosuke is put in the agonizing position of choosing between love of family and duty to his clan.
Complicating matters, Tazu is also skilled with the blade, and Sakunosuke must face the distinct possibility of being forced to defend himself against her.
Toei will be releasing “Ogawa no Hotori” in Yamagata Prefecture on June 18, 2011 with a nation-wide release to follow on July 2.
Watch »...
Based on a story by the late Shuhei Fujisawa (The Twilight Samurai, Sword of Desperation), the film revolves around a samurai named Inui Sakunosuke (Noriyuki Higashiyama) who is given a mission of vengeance from his clan. However, his assassination target is a man named Sakuma Morie, the husband of his younger sister, Tazu (Rinko Kikuchi). Thus, Sakunosuke is put in the agonizing position of choosing between love of family and duty to his clan.
Complicating matters, Tazu is also skilled with the blade, and Sakunosuke must face the distinct possibility of being forced to defend himself against her.
Toei will be releasing “Ogawa no Hotori” in Yamagata Prefecture on June 18, 2011 with a nation-wide release to follow on July 2.
Watch »...
- 4/30/2011
- Nippon Cinema
It marks the first time a samurai period film will screen in competition at the 34th Montreal World Film Festival. The latest adaptation of a Shuhei Fujisawa short story, Hisshiken Torisashi is set to change things up a bit for this festival. If you find yourself in Montreal during this festival don't miss out!
Etsushi Toyokawa stars as Kanemi Sanzaemon, a skilled swordsman and the tending president of the Unasaka clan. Three years ago, he dealt with a case of misgovernment by murdering a former prostitute named Renko (Megumi Seki) who was abusing the influence she had gained by becoming the mistress of a powerful daimyo (Jun Murakami). However, he received a lenient punishment for his actions and was eventually allowed to return to his duties within the clan.
After the death of his wife (Naho Toda), Sanzaemon takes care of her niece, Satoo (Chizuru Ikewaki), but doesn't realize she...
Etsushi Toyokawa stars as Kanemi Sanzaemon, a skilled swordsman and the tending president of the Unasaka clan. Three years ago, he dealt with a case of misgovernment by murdering a former prostitute named Renko (Megumi Seki) who was abusing the influence she had gained by becoming the mistress of a powerful daimyo (Jun Murakami). However, he received a lenient punishment for his actions and was eventually allowed to return to his duties within the clan.
After the death of his wife (Naho Toda), Sanzaemon takes care of her niece, Satoo (Chizuru Ikewaki), but doesn't realize she...
- 6/30/2010
- Screen Anarchy
Excellent. The long line of films adapted from Shuhei Fujisawa short stories keeps growing and we keeping asking for more. Nothing absolutely wrong with having these finely crafted samurai/chambara films coming out so often. Enter Hisshiken Torisashi from Fujisawa's 'Hidden Blade' series.
Etsushi Toyokawa stars as Kanemi Sanzaemon, a skilled swordsman and the tending president of the Unasaka clan. Three years ago, he dealt with a case of misgovernment by murdering a former prostitute named Renko (Megumi Seki) who was abusing the influence she had gained by becoming the mistress of a powerful daimyo (Jun Murakami). However, he received a lenient punishment for his actions and was eventually allowed to return to his duties within the clan.
After the death of his wife (Naho Toda), Sanzaemon takes care of her niece, Satoo (Chizuru Ikewaki), but doesn't realize she harbors a secret love for him. Meanwhile, a situation arises which...
Etsushi Toyokawa stars as Kanemi Sanzaemon, a skilled swordsman and the tending president of the Unasaka clan. Three years ago, he dealt with a case of misgovernment by murdering a former prostitute named Renko (Megumi Seki) who was abusing the influence she had gained by becoming the mistress of a powerful daimyo (Jun Murakami). However, he received a lenient punishment for his actions and was eventually allowed to return to his duties within the clan.
After the death of his wife (Naho Toda), Sanzaemon takes care of her niece, Satoo (Chizuru Ikewaki), but doesn't realize she harbors a secret love for him. Meanwhile, a situation arises which...
- 5/26/2010
- Screen Anarchy
Toei has released a longer trailer for Hideyuki Hirayama‘s Hisshiken Torisashi, the latest in a long line of film adaptations of stories by the late Shuhei Fujisawa. This particular film is based on a short story taken from Fujisawa’s “Hidden Blade” series, a compilation of stories which involve a character (not always the protagonist) mastering a secret sword technique to be unleashed on his enemies later on.
Etsushi Toyokawa stars as Kanemi Sanzaemon, a skilled swordsman and the tending president of the Unasaka clan. Three years ago, he dealt with a case of misgovernment by murdering a former prostitute named Renko (Megumi Seki) who was abusing the influence she had gained by becoming the mistress of a powerful daimyo (Jun Murakami). However, he received a lenient punishment for his actions and was eventually allowed to return to his duties within the clan.
After the death of his wife...
Etsushi Toyokawa stars as Kanemi Sanzaemon, a skilled swordsman and the tending president of the Unasaka clan. Three years ago, he dealt with a case of misgovernment by murdering a former prostitute named Renko (Megumi Seki) who was abusing the influence she had gained by becoming the mistress of a powerful daimyo (Jun Murakami). However, he received a lenient punishment for his actions and was eventually allowed to return to his duties within the clan.
After the death of his wife...
- 5/26/2010
- Nippon Cinema
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