ID :
70735
Thu, 07/16/2009 - 18:05
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/70735
The shortlink copeid
Japanese action thriller adds to anticipation of Puchon film fest
By Shin Hae-in
BUCHEON, South Korea, July 16 (Yonhap) -- Released to Korean viewers for the
first time at this year's Puchon International Film Festival (PiFan), Japanese
action thriller "M.W." is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat for its full
129 minutes. The better news is that this jaw-dropping film is only the
festival's opener: One down, 200 more to go.
Not many were surprised that "M.W." was chosen to open PiFan on Thursday,
considering the special attention the festival has paid to controversial and
unique Asian films over the past decade. PiFan marks its 13th anniversary this
year.
The original "M.W." manga series by the late Osamu Tezuka, dubbed the "father of
anime" in Japan, was deemed unsuitable for film adaptation due to its dark
subject matter, which questions the boundaries of good and evil, as well as the
scale of the story itself.
"Technology and the market environment have finally caught up enough to make the
film," said Hitoshi Iwamoto, who visited the South Korean city Thursday to attend
the preview of his film. "With the political and economic turmoil taking place
during the past decade, the antiquated story actually felt quite contemporary. I
believe the timing was perfect for this film adaptation."
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the late Tezuka's birth. More than 30
years have passed since the manga was first released in Japan.
"Unlike Tezuka's other works, 'M.W.' portrays the dark side of the human being. I
tried not to rely too much on computer graphics and instead create an action
suspense that puts vigor into the original series," Iwamoto added.
While Tezuka is known worldwide for his children's favorites such as "Astro Boy"
and "Kimba the White Lion," the "M.W." manga is a downbeat thriller that tackles
government cover-ups, religion, the nature of good and evil, homoeroticism, the
effects of excessive technology on nature and the U.S. military presence in
Japan.
Keeping close to the original plot, the film opens on a remote Japanese island
where the entire population has been massacred. Sinisterly, the tragedy was
covered up by government agents. Two boys miraculously survive the incident,
however, and plot a bloody revenge.
One of the boys, Garai (Takayuki Yamada), becomes a priest. Ridden with guilt and
conflict, his way of dealing with the horrible past inflicted upon him is by
dedicating his life to serving God and helping the needy.
Another survivor, Yuki (Hiroshi Tamaki), unravels the mystery behind the
islanders' horrific demise. In pursuit of his goal, he doesn't hesitate to commit
horrifying crimes, as long as he gets revenge.
The separate paths chosen by Garai and Yuki tie into the theme of "original sin."
Despite their separate decisions, the two men continue to live overlapping lives,
sharing a bond that cannot be undone.
Director Iwamoto asked audiences to pay attention to the anti-hero, Yuki, from a
"slightly different perspective."
"Although the character (Yuki) is evil, he turned out that way to fight a greater
evil. Once you understand his philosophy, the murders and violence he commits
will actually seem beautiful," he said.
Tamaki, well known to Koreans for his role in Japanese TV series "Nodame
Cantabile," plays the bad guy for the first time in his acting career.
"I actually thought of doing this movie for the first time after Tamaki told me
his wish to play a really, really mean character," the director said. "The role
of Yuki seemed perfect."
Having opened with "M.W." Thursday, the PiFan will screen 200 more films from 41
countries through July 26. The festival name still uses the older spelling for
the host city of Bucheon.
PiFan gives out six awards in its official competition section, the Puchon Choice
Feature, selected by five jurors led by renowned British film critic and
screenwriter Tony Rayns.
Four cash awards totaling 13 million won (US$10,000) will be given to short films
chosen by three jurors including Todd Brown, the founder and editor of on-line
film magazine Twitch. Another award, selected by two representatives of the
European Fantastic Film Festivals Foundation, will be given to Asian films.
hayney@yna.co.kr
(END)
BUCHEON, South Korea, July 16 (Yonhap) -- Released to Korean viewers for the
first time at this year's Puchon International Film Festival (PiFan), Japanese
action thriller "M.W." is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat for its full
129 minutes. The better news is that this jaw-dropping film is only the
festival's opener: One down, 200 more to go.
Not many were surprised that "M.W." was chosen to open PiFan on Thursday,
considering the special attention the festival has paid to controversial and
unique Asian films over the past decade. PiFan marks its 13th anniversary this
year.
The original "M.W." manga series by the late Osamu Tezuka, dubbed the "father of
anime" in Japan, was deemed unsuitable for film adaptation due to its dark
subject matter, which questions the boundaries of good and evil, as well as the
scale of the story itself.
"Technology and the market environment have finally caught up enough to make the
film," said Hitoshi Iwamoto, who visited the South Korean city Thursday to attend
the preview of his film. "With the political and economic turmoil taking place
during the past decade, the antiquated story actually felt quite contemporary. I
believe the timing was perfect for this film adaptation."
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the late Tezuka's birth. More than 30
years have passed since the manga was first released in Japan.
"Unlike Tezuka's other works, 'M.W.' portrays the dark side of the human being. I
tried not to rely too much on computer graphics and instead create an action
suspense that puts vigor into the original series," Iwamoto added.
While Tezuka is known worldwide for his children's favorites such as "Astro Boy"
and "Kimba the White Lion," the "M.W." manga is a downbeat thriller that tackles
government cover-ups, religion, the nature of good and evil, homoeroticism, the
effects of excessive technology on nature and the U.S. military presence in
Japan.
Keeping close to the original plot, the film opens on a remote Japanese island
where the entire population has been massacred. Sinisterly, the tragedy was
covered up by government agents. Two boys miraculously survive the incident,
however, and plot a bloody revenge.
One of the boys, Garai (Takayuki Yamada), becomes a priest. Ridden with guilt and
conflict, his way of dealing with the horrible past inflicted upon him is by
dedicating his life to serving God and helping the needy.
Another survivor, Yuki (Hiroshi Tamaki), unravels the mystery behind the
islanders' horrific demise. In pursuit of his goal, he doesn't hesitate to commit
horrifying crimes, as long as he gets revenge.
The separate paths chosen by Garai and Yuki tie into the theme of "original sin."
Despite their separate decisions, the two men continue to live overlapping lives,
sharing a bond that cannot be undone.
Director Iwamoto asked audiences to pay attention to the anti-hero, Yuki, from a
"slightly different perspective."
"Although the character (Yuki) is evil, he turned out that way to fight a greater
evil. Once you understand his philosophy, the murders and violence he commits
will actually seem beautiful," he said.
Tamaki, well known to Koreans for his role in Japanese TV series "Nodame
Cantabile," plays the bad guy for the first time in his acting career.
"I actually thought of doing this movie for the first time after Tamaki told me
his wish to play a really, really mean character," the director said. "The role
of Yuki seemed perfect."
Having opened with "M.W." Thursday, the PiFan will screen 200 more films from 41
countries through July 26. The festival name still uses the older spelling for
the host city of Bucheon.
PiFan gives out six awards in its official competition section, the Puchon Choice
Feature, selected by five jurors led by renowned British film critic and
screenwriter Tony Rayns.
Four cash awards totaling 13 million won (US$10,000) will be given to short films
chosen by three jurors including Todd Brown, the founder and editor of on-line
film magazine Twitch. Another award, selected by two representatives of the
European Fantastic Film Festivals Foundation, will be given to Asian films.
hayney@yna.co.kr
(END)
