The new film from legendary director Takashi Miike
Samuel Goldwyn Films announced today that the company has acquired North American rights to the comedic-vampire-action-thriller Yakuza Apocalypse from legendary Japanese director Takashi Miike (Ichi the Killer, Audition). The martial arts extravaganza and end-of-the-world spectacle premiered as part of the Directors’ Fortnight program at the 2015 Cannes International Film Festival and will screen in the Midnight Madness program at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival running September 10–20, 2015. Samuel Goldwyn Films is planning an October 9, 2015 release.
Peter Goldwyn of Samuel Goldwyn Films said in a statement: “Taskashi Miike is a master of this genre and we are excited to bring his latest film, a sort of return to his origins, out to North American audiences. The film is an exciting mix of gangster-vampire action that only Miike can deliver.”
Filmmaker Takashi Miike stated: “I wonder if it’s really okay to let this film loose outside of Japan. As it’s not anything anyone can deal with on their own, it’s best to watch with friends.”
Yakuza Apocalypse is directed by Takashi Miike from a screenplay by Yoshitaka Yamaguchi. The film stars Hayato Ichihara, Yayan Ruhian (The Raid, The Raid 2) and Lily Franky. Film is produced by Yoshinori Chiba, Shinichiro Masuda, Shinjiro Nishimura and Misako Saka.
In Yakuza Apocalypse, fearsome Yakuza boss Kamiura is also a bloodsucking vampire. One day, men arrive from a competing clan and deliver him an ultimatum: Play nice or die. Kamiura refuses and, during a fierce battle, is torn limb from limb. With his dying breath, he passes on his vampire powers to his loyal lieutenant, Kageyama. His first order of business is to avenge his mentor, setting him on a collision course with the seemingly unstoppable foreign syndicate, and take his place as the new Yakuza boss.
You can check out the international trailer for the Takashi Miike film in the player below.
