Takashi Miike’s Cannes 2011 In Competition entry will be the first 3D film to compete in the official selection. The film is Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai (Ichimei), a remake of the 1962 feature directed by Masaki Kobayashi based on the novel by Yasuhiko Takiguchi.
When I made my list of “Top Ten Previously Released Films I’d Pay to See If They’d Been Shot in 3D” and included Akira Kurosawa’s Sanjuro I am now beginning to wonder if the arterial spray I wanted to see in 3D will finally be arriving. However, Patrick Frater at FilmBiz.asia says, “[Death of a Samurai] is expected to be a more serious drama than Miike’s recent films with a considerably lower body count.”
Set during the 17th century, the story centers on Hanshiro (played by Ebizo Ichikawa), an honorable, poverty-stricken samurai requesting to commit hara-kiri in the courtyard of feudal lord Kageyu’s estate. Trying to dismiss Hanshiro’s wish to save face, Kageyu (played by Koji Yakusho) recounts the tragic story of a similar plea years ago from young ronin Motome (played by Eita). But the arrogant lord is unaware of vengeful Hanshiro’s bond to Motome.
Above and at the bottom of this post are your first look at the film and you can get a larger look at the top image right here.
You can actually watch the original Kobayashi film at Criterion for $5, and the rental fee will be credited to your account should you then decide to purchase the film.
