FANTASIA 2015: The Supernatural Looms In Feudal Japan In The Latest International Trailer For NINJA THE MONSTER

Acclaimed director Ochiai Ken is getting things off to a decorative start for this summer's events at Fantasia Fest in Montreal. Part of the line up will be the August 2 premiere of his newest, Ninja The Monster - the second of two films well on the way from Shochiku's forthcoming slate of low-budget cult-oriented genre titles from Japan, and judging by the most recent trailer, clearly Ochiai has nothing but good things in mind: ninjas, monsters, swordplay, fantasy. Consider me sold.

SYNOPSIS:

The time is midst of samurai era when Ninja were banned. Sachi, a beautiful princess is traveling to Edo (present Tokyo) with her men including Denzo who is an ex-ninja whose true background has been hidden. Suddenly, they encounter an unidentified monster in a forest. As they battle to kill the monster, all of Sachi's men are killed except Denzo. Sachi starts to question his true identity and why Denzo risks his life to protect her.

Sure, it's quite the switch from his latest 2014/2015 award-winning feat, Uzumasa Limelight, but that doesn't mean this won't be fun, and I'm sure it will be.

Fujioka Dean, Morikawa Aoi and Wada Sohkoh star. Hit up the festival website for premiere and ticket info and more after you view the trailer.

Ninja The Monster from Festival Fantasia on Vimeo.

Ochiai Ken's UZUMASA LIMELIGHT Is Headed To The U.K.!

Ochiai Ken's suspenseful swordplay drama, Uzumasa Limelight became an award-winning festival sensation during its run last year and it's safe to suggest that many of the critics who have seen it all stand behind this one. It's an ardent homage to a bygone era of stylish stunt acting with longtime veteran Fukumoto Seizo in his debut lead role after half a century of having established himself in the world of swordplay genre and action on film, which undoubtedly makes Uzumasa Limelight one worthy of moviegoers' utmost attention.

SYNOPSIS:

Uzumasa (Kyoto) is considered the Hollywood of Japan. 

It has produced many “jidaigeki” films (period dramas with sword fighting) that are loved by many Japanese, and are highly praised all over the world. These films wouldn’t be what they were if it weren’t for the “kirareyaku” (actors whose main job is to be killed by the lead star). Men who are killed, without ever being lit by the limelight… 

This story is about those men, the unsung heroes of classic jidaigeki films. They loved and respected the art, even when the production of classic jidaigeki films began to dwindle. Using Charlie Chaplin’s film “Limelight” as an underlying theme, the admirable story of these men dealing with a new generation and fading craftsmanship is told with melancholy and soul.

Third Window Films is releasing the film in the U.K. with a date soon to be announced and Twitchfilm brought the exclusives, including a trailer for you to watch below.