Kairo (2001)

Two groups of people discover evidence that suggests spirits may be trying to invade the human world through the Internet.

Director:

Kiyoshi Kurosawa

Writer:

Kiyoshi Kurosawa

Stars:

Haruhiko Katô, Kumiko Asô, Koyuki

2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Haruhiko Katô	...	Ryosuke Kawashima
Kumiko Asô	...	Michi Kudo
Koyuki	...	Harue Karasawa
Kurume Arisaka	...	Junko Sasano
Masatoshi Matsuo	...	Toshio Yabe
Shinji Takeda	...	Yoshizaki
Jun Fubuki	...	Michi's mother
Shun Sugata	...	Boss
Shô Aikawa	...	Employee
Kôji Yakusho	...	Ship Captain
Kenji Mizuhashi	...	Taguchi
Takumi Tanji	...	Man with Bag
Hassei Takano	...	Student A
Atsushi Yuki	...	Student B
Go Takashima	...	Student C

Storyline

After one of their friends commits suicide, strange things begin happening to a group of young Tokyo residents. One of them sees visions of his dead friend in the shadows on the wall, while another's computer keeps showing strange, ghostly images. Is their friend trying to contact them from beyond the grave, or is there something much more sinister going on?

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Plot Keywords:

supernatural horror | computer | suicide | shadow | internet | 

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Taglines:

Yûrei ni aitai desu ka? (Do you want to meet a ghost?)

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Genres:

Horror | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some violent images

Did You Know?

Trivia

As Kawashima starts going over footage of people in the computer screen, he comes a cross a bearded man who looks up and stares directly at him. That man is Kurosawa Kiyoshi, and writer and director of the movie.

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Quotes

Ghost: Death was... eternal loneliness.

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Connections

Edited into Pulse (2006)

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Soundtracks

Hane Lay Down My Arms
Performed by Cocco

User Reviews

Forever death is eternal loneliness.

Kiyoshi Kurosawa's "Kairo" has to be one of the most mesmerizing supernatural horror films I have ever seen.The film is loaded with extremely dark and brooding atmosphere and some scenes actually scared me.The photography by Junichiro Hayashi is truly beautiful and the score is very haunting.The theme of "Kairo" is that at the end of the line there isn't anything except a fearful nothingness-no heaven or hell,just a miserable eternity of living in between states.The film is cold and bleak,even nihilistic in its portrayal of total isolation."Kairo" is pretty slow-moving and there is absolutely no gore,so fans of "Scream" or similar crap will be disappointed.Still the visuals are amazing:dark skies,deserted streets and crawling shadows will leave you stunned.A must-see for fans of Japanese horror.10 out of 10.

Details

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

9 November 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Kairo

Filming Locations:

Tokyo, Japan

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,250, 13 November 2005

Gross USA:

$51,420

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$318,451

Company Credits

Production Co:

Daiei Eiga, Hakuhodo, Imagica

Technical Specs

Runtime:

119 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1