Legendary Japanese actor-director Takeshi Kitano returns to the Croisette for the primary time this yr since 2010, when his movie “Outrage” competed for the coveted Palme d’Or. And whereas “Kubi,” Kitano’s newest directorial effort, might premiere out of competitors on the 76th version of the Cannes Film Festival this month, The Film Stage nonetheless suppose it’ll be a competition spotlight.
READ MORE: Cannes Critics’ Week 2023 Lineup: New Films From Jason Yu, Amanda Nell Eu & More
Based on the director’s 2019 novel, “Kubi” tells the story of the real-life Honno-ji Incident and the assassination of Japanese warlord Oda Nobunaga in Kyoto in 1582. And Kitano desires “Kubi” to be as epic as doable, trying on the legendary Akira Kurosawa and his movies like “The Seven Samurai” and “Kagemusha” for affect.
Basically, Kitano desires “Kubi” to be a interval drama executed proper, in each scale and scope. “If possible, I hope this movie will be a hit, and I hope to be able to shoot a few more,” the director stated at a latest press convention in Tokyo. “When you think of period dramas, you tend to think of historical dramas as historical dramas, but they are all about beautiful success stories, and they don’t depict the dirty parts and jobs of people. I made it. It took a lot of effort to complete it, but I think I was able to make it thanks to the staff and cast.”
“Kubi” stars Asano Tadanobu, Nishijimi Hidetoshi, Kase Ryo, and extra. Kitano co-directs the movie with Shuto Takahata, and adapts his novel with Takahito Minato for the massive display screen. The director initially deliberate for “Kubi” to be his ultimate movie, however now Kitano desires to backtrack these feedback. So who is aware of what Kitano has in retailer for audiences subsequent?
“Kubi” is a long-gestating venture for Takeshi Kitano, initially conceiving it when he starred in and directed 1993’s “Sonantine.” Now “Kubi” lastly arrives thirty years later, prepared for a Cannes 2023 premiere. Watch a trailer for the movie under.