Zatôichi
The Blind Swordsman
First screened in December 2004
Director: Takeshi Kitano. Cast: Takeshi Kitano, Tadanobu Asano, Gadarukanaru Taka, Yuuko Daike, Daigorô Tachibana, Michiyo Ookusu, Akira Emoto, Ittoku Kishibe, Saburo Ishikura, Kohji Miura, Ben Hiura, Koji Koike. Screenplay: Takeshi Kitano (based on novels by Kan Shimozawa).

Twitter Capsule: I just saw garish, poorly-sewn pastiche; never caught the wave. But reader, I admit that I drifted.

VOR:   Such a mash-up of genres and explosion of energy it's hard to deny originality points. Then again, Kitano's working from a lot of templates. Really built to last?



Photo © 2003 Office Kitano/Saitô Entertainment,
© 2004 Miramax Films

Not yet reviewed in full. Grade: D+


Awards:
Toronto Film Festival: People's Choice Award
Venice Film Festival: Best Director (Kitano); Audience Award; Future Film Festival Digital Award

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