Avalon (2001)

Director:

Mamoru Oshii

Writer:

Kazunori Itô (writer)

Release Date:

20 January 2001 (Japan)

Genre:

Drama | Fantasy | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

Dare to enter a world of future videogames

Plot:

In a future world, young people are increasingly becoming addicted to an illegal (and potentially deadly) battle simulation game called Avalon...

Plot Keywords:

Dog | War Game | Color | Helicopter | Purse Snatcher

Awards:

3 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Malgorzata Foremniak	...	Ash
Wladyslaw Kowalski	...	Game Master
Jerzy Gudejko	...	Murphy
Dariusz Biskupski	...	Bishop
Bartlomiej Swiderski	...	Stunner (as Bartek Swiderski)
Katarzyna Bargielowska	...	Receptionist
Alicja Sapryk	...	Gill
Michal Breitenwald	...	Murphy of Nine Sisters
Zuzanna Kasz	...	Ghost
Adam Szyszkowski	...	Player A
Krzysztof Szczerbinski	...	Player B (as Krszysztof Szczerbinski)
Marek Stawinski	...	Player C
Jaroslaw Budnik	...	Cooper (voice)
Andrzej Debski	...	Cusinart (voice)

Also Known As:

Avalon (International: English title)
Gate to Avalon (Hong Kong: English title) (video box title)

MPAA:

Rated R for some violence.

Runtime:

106 min

Country:

Japan | Poland

Language:

Polish

Color:

Color | Black and White (Sepiatone)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital EX

Certification:

Italy:T | South Korea:15 | Canada:PG | Germany:12 | Netherlands:12 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | UK:12 | USA:R | Australia:M | Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

Filharmonia Narodowa, Warsaw, Poland

Company:

Deiz Production

Trivia:

Director Trademark: [Mamoru Oshii] [biblical quote]

Goofs:

Continuity: When Ash is holding Murphy after shooting him, he is holding a gun in his right hand. The shot then switches to his other hand dropping bullets and when the shot returns to both of them the gun is missing.

Quotes:

Bishop: what do you think is the best, a game you think you can finish, but never do, or a game that seems impossible to win, but isn't?

Movie Connections:

References Kôkaku kidôtai (1995)

Just a few words

Well, this movie I enjoyed very much. To answer to those complaining about the slow pace: you're right. That's what's different and pretty nice in my opinion. For instance that moment when Ash is slicing a cabbage, cooking in her apartment. Boy! What a slow yet intense moment. Nothing to "see" but how much to feel. I'd say i like John Wo's movies too you know, but this style is the opposite, and better i think if a comparison can be made.

You might think i'm a weirdo but next time you see it try to focus on the apparent emptyness of some of the scenes ... like the one in the subway ... i hope you'll see what i mean.