Some of the craziest things I've ever seen in a movie have been moments from films by the incredibily prolific Japanese director Takashi Miike. Samuel Goldwyn Films is now set to bring more Miike insanity to western audiences, having acquired the North American distribution rights to Miike's "comedic vampire action thriller" YAKUZA APOCALYPSE.
Miike's 97th directing credit, YAKUZA APOCALYPSE is described as a "martial arts extravaganza and end-of-the-world spectacle". The film was written by Yoshitaka Yamaguchi and stars Hayato Ichihara, Yayan Ruhian, and Lily Franky. It tells the following story:
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.
Miike had this to say about the distribution deal –
"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."
I could say the same about all of the Miike works that I've seen.
Samuel Goldwyn Films is planning to unleash YAKUZA APOCALYPSE in North America on October 9, 2015.