TAKESHI KITANO’S “ZATOICHI” CLOSES THE 20TH ANNUAL VC FILMFEST
AT ARATANI/JAPAN AMERICA THEATRE MAY 6, 2004

What do you get when you combine a legendary folk hero with Japan’s foremost television and film personality and a historic celebration of cinema? Local audiences will find out when Visual Communications and co-presenters Consulate of Japan/Los Angles and Japan Foundation/Los Angeles proudly present the Los Angeles premier of director and screewriter Takeshi Kitano’s ZATOICHI, on Thursday, May 6, 2004, 7:30 p.m., at the Aratani/Japan America Theatre in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo.
As part of the Closing Night activities, the Festival will also present the Golden Reel and New Director/New Visions Awards for excellence in short film and video production. A reception will follow the program in the JACCC Plaza. Additionally, VC FILMFEST is proud to present three classic “Zatoichi” films from the 1960s during Festival Week as a prelude to the Closing Night gala.
ZATOICHI has won awards at the 2003 Venice Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, Marrakech International Film festival, and Sitges Catalonia International Film Festival. The film, recently acquired by Miramax Films, is slated for theatrical release on June 4, 2004.
One of the most popular heroes of Japanese 19th Century drama, Zatoichi is a blind wanderer who gambles and gives massages for a living. Under his humble façade lies a gifted swordsman with breathtaking speed and precision. In this version actor/director Kitano brings to life the beloved and compelling adventure of an exceptional hero whose cane turns into a sword.
Upon entering a remote village in his usual unassuming manner, Zatoichi discovers the townspeople in terror of a ruthless gang-leader named Ginzo. With the help of his ronin bodyguard Hattori, Ginzo eliminates anyone who gets in his way. Zatoichi is pulled from his passive shell and is drawn into action helping the Naruto “sisters,” two geishas, avenge the death of their parents.
Kitano’s innovated Zatoichi character is both physically and physiologically different from the original 1962 character, played by late Shintano Katsu. Indeed, Kitano’s Zatoichi is very eccentric with platinum blonde hair and blood red colored cane sword. In addition, Kitano’s is more emotionally detached than the original character, who interacted with local townspeople.
“Zatoichi is a character firmly established in Asian popular folklore,” said Leslie Ito, the Executive Producer of the VC FILMFEST and Executive Director of Visual Communications. “The Closing Night premiere of Kitano’s film provides a wonderful opportunity for us to re-acquaint our audiences with this beloved anti-hero of world cinema.”
“Since Zatoichi was one of the most popular characters of Japanese period drama for about three decades the Los Angeles premier of Kitano’s film has been greatly awaited in the community,“ said Gail Matsui, the Director of Marketing and Managing at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center. “We are very pleased to be reintroducing the beloved character of Zatoichi at home, in the Little Tokyo community.”
The Festival’s Closing Night sponsors include California Arts Council, City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department, ImaginAsian TV, Japanese American Community and Cultural Center, KSCI-TV /Channel 18, Los Angeles County Arts Commission and National Endowment for the Arts.
Closing Night VIP Reception Sponsors includeCreative Floral Designs, Maison Akira, Red Bull, Relaxtation, Via Café, Vision Communications, Wahoo’s Fish Taco, and Zen Cosmetics.
First established in 1983, the Visual Communications Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film & Video Festival is the premier showcase for Asian Pacific American and Asian international cinema in Southern California. The festival is presented by Visual Communications, the nation’s oldest Asian Pacific American media arts center.
Closing Night will be held at the Aratani/Japan America Theatre, 244 South San Pedro Street, in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo. General Admission is $15; for students, seniors, Friends of VC / DGA / JACCC / Chinese American Museum members with ID, tickets are $12. For ticket and program information on Festival programs, or to obtain a Festival calendar of events, please call the VC FILMFEST line at (213) 680-4462 x68