Don’t Think I’ve Forgotten: Cambodia’s Lost Rock and Roll
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ipq4FefX5Ps&w=560&h=315%5D
(April 22nd – USA)
Director: John Pirozzi
Synopsis: This documentary tracks the paths of Cambodian music before its eventual merge into rock and roll. Interviews with surviving musicians from before Khmer Rogue are accompanied by archival footage of the music scene that was nearly destroyed with the killing of over 2 million people.
Opinion: This is an important documentary and one that should be treasured. Pirozzi has provided us with a look into one of the most happening hotspots in Asia. I’ve been previously aware of the music scenes of the 1960’s in Japan and China but I was completely ignorant of any such scene in Cambodia. Depending on how the subject is approached, the documentary could become a valuable learning tool.
Ryuzo And The Seven Henchmen
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsNhRNifh-s&w=560&h=315%5D
(April 25th – Japan)
Director: Takeshi Kitano / Writer(s): Takeshi Kitano
Cast: Tatsuya Fuji, Masaomi Kondo, Akira Nakao, Toru Shinagawa, Ben Hiura, Yoshizumi Ito, Ken Yoshizawa, Akira Onodera, Ken Yasuda, Kenichi Yajima, Atom Shimojo, Masanobu Katsumura, Hisako Manda, Takeshi Kitano, Fumika Shimizu
Synopsis: Ryuzo and his 7 former henchman and all retired Yakuza and have now resumed their lives as members of Japan’s elderly population. Ryuzo becomes a victim of a Phishing fraud. He calls his 7 men to reform their gang.
Opinion: One might think Furious 7 was to be my most anticipated film of April but no, this is the film I am most excited to see. Takeshi Kitano is one of the most respected filmmakers, actors and artists (he is a painter). His films Kikujiro (1999) and Outrage (2010) are just two of his best works.
The film is loaded with a who’s who of both familiar and famous Japanese film actors (some who have played Yakuza in previous movies). Kitano’s latest venture may be influenced by the spaghetti westerns, namely those starring Clint Eastwood (as hinted by the notes from the theme song The Good, the Bad and the Ugly). From my point of view, it could also be revisiting the Magnificent Seven which was the American version of Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai. However I look at it has all my favourites rolled into one. I just wish I could be in Japan for the first showing.
