Greetings, citizens! ROBOGEEK here with an exclusive AICN trailer premiere!
Known as both writer/director Takeshi Kitano and actor Beat Takeshi, he is equally esteemed in both roles. Arguably the most influential Japanese filmmaker since Kurosawa, he also exists on the highest echelon of coolness as an actor (ranking among such peers as Jean Reno, Harvey Keitel and Samuel L. Jackson).
In other words, Takeshi Kitano is one of the most significant figures on the landscape of modern cinema, having written, directed, edited and starred in recent classics such as SONATINE, HANA-BI (aka FIREWORKS; winner of the Golden Lion at the 1997 Venice Film Festival) and KIKUJIRO. Through sheer force of quiet will, he is single-handedly ushering in a new wave of Japanese filmmaking.
Later this year, American audiences will hopefully get to see him in Kinji Fukasaku's highly controversial BATTLE ROYALE, but before then, we will get his highly-anticipated English-language debut, BROTHER.
In Japan, the sworn brotherhood of the Yakuza is described as being "thicker than the blood of kindred brothers." As you'll see in "Brother," sometimes brotherhood between certain men can actually be stronger than between actual brothers ... I wanted to adapt the style of the Japanese yakuza into the background of Los Angeles, so "Brother" became the first film I directed in a foreign country. Because of this, I had expected to be forced to make certain compromises. I realized as the shoot progressed that I had been totally wrong. Thanks to tremendous devotion from the regular members of my Japanese crew and the impressive professionalism of the American crew, I was able to experience the advantages of shooting in America without having to compromise artistically. I had a great time shooting in the States, especially the action scenes, which I couldn't possibly expect to do in Japan. I just hope audiences will enjoy watching "Brother" as much as I enjoyed making it.
- Takeshi Kitano
Ain't It Cool is proud to present, in partnership with Sony Pictures Classics and the QuickTime team at Apple, the official online trailer premiere for Takeshi Kitano's BROTHER.
CLICK HERE FOR THE TRAILER
TO TAKESHI KITANO'S "BROTHER"!
