Kamikaze Girls (2004)

Momoko, a strange and seemingly emotionless girl obsessed with 18th century France, befriends a Yanki biker and the two experience the ups and downs of their unusual lives in a rural Japanese town.

Director:

Tetsuya Nakashima

Writers:

Nobara Takemoto (novel), Tetsuya Nakashima (screenplay)

Stars:

Kyoko Fukada, Anna Tsuchiya, Hiroyuki Miyasako

14 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kyoko Fukada	...	Momoko Ryugasaki
Anna Tsuchiya	...	Ichigo Shirayuri
Hiroyuki Miyasako	...	Momoko's Father
Sadao Abe	...	Ryuji 'the Unicorn' / Doctor
Eiko Koike	...	Akimi
Shin Yazawa	...	Miko
Hirotarô Honda	...	Yakuza Boss
Kirin Kiki	...	Momoko's Grandmother
Yoshiyoshi Arakawa	...	Grocery Store Manager
Katsuhisa Namase	...	Pachinko Parlor Manager
Ryôko Shinohara	...	Momoko's Mother
Yoshinori Okada	...	Baby, 'The Stars Shine Bright' Owner
Kanako Irie
Haruo Mizuno	...	Self
Yûichi Kimura	...	Yakuza

Storyline

Momoko Ryugasaki is the daughter of a smalltime gangster that forges Versace brand and a lowlife woman. Momoko is smitten by the Rococo period and dresses in a Lolita style, with frilly dresses and embroidery bonnet. She is raised by her father since her mother divorced him to marry her gynecologist, and he has taught her how to perfectly embroider. When Mr. Ryugasaki includes the Universal Studios brand in his products, he is forced to move to the rural Shimotsuma with Momoko to live in the house of her grandmother. Momoko decides to sell her collection of forged Versace and Universal Studios to make money to buy her expensive clothing. The rebel "yanki" Ichigo Shirayuri visits Momoko to buy clothes and soon they begin the most unlikely friendship.

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Plot Keywords:

lolita | tube socks | blond asian | pleated skirt | miniskirt | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Did You Know?

Trivia

As of October 2005, the film has played at five international film festivals: the Los Angeles Film Festival, the New York Asian Film Festival, the Montreal Fantasia Film Festival, the Hong Kong International Film Festival, and the Hawaii International Film Festival. The film was also shown at the San Diego Comic-Con.

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Quotes

Momoko Ryugasaki: Humans are cowards in the face of happiness. It takes courage to hold on to happiness.

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Crazy Credits

At the end of the film, Momoko and Ichigo pose together in a photo booth.

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Connections

References Battles Without Honor and Humanity (1973)

User Reviews

Sukeban vs. Kawaii

Maybe the one and only movie with a theme about Embroidery, that still can be considered "cool". Kyoko Fukada as cute Lolita-look Aficionado and Anna Tsuchia in a tough Biker-Gang Wardrobe make up a most strange, yet sympathetic pair of friends. Makes you laugh, makes you feel warm, yeah, even nostalgic. "Kamikaze Girls" is the archetypal essence of Manga-Culture come alive, pure J-Pop Fanservice in psychedelic, overbidding videoclip visuals (including one hysterical Anime story sequence), and one of those rare movies, where you don't ever want to see the credits. Also features a great entrance by my favorite Pin-up Idol Eiko Koike.

Details

Official Sites:

CIPA [France] Official Site [Japan]

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese French English

Release Date:

29 May 2004 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Kamikaze Girls

Filming Locations:

Ushiku, Ibaraki, Japan

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,795, 11 September 2005

Gross USA:

$34,424

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$5,290,748

Company Credits

Production Co:

Amuse Pictures, Hakuhodo DY Media Partners, Hori Production

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1