Bunraku (2010)

The story of a a young man who has spent his life searching for revenge only to find himself up against a bigger challenge than he originally bargained for.

Director:

Guy Moshe

Writers:

Boaz Davidson (story), Guy Moshe (screenplay)

Stars:

Josh Hartnett, Demi Moore, Woody Harrelson

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Josh Hartnett	...	The Drifter
Gackt	...	Yoshi (as Gackt Camui)
Woody Harrelson	...	The Bartender
Ron Perlman	...	Nicola
Kevin McKidd	...	Killer No. 2
Demi Moore	...	Alexandra
Shun Sugata	...	Uncle
Emily Kaiho	...	Momoko
Jordi Mollà	...	Valentine
Mike Patton	...	The Narrator (voice)
Shahar Sorek	...	Killer No. 3 / Mirror Drifter
Fernando Chien	...	Killer No. 4
Yoshio Iizuka	...	Killer No.5
Kofi Yiadom	...	Killer No. 6
Aaron Toney	...	Killer No. 7

Storyline

In a world with no guns, a mysterious drifter, a bartender and a young samurai plot revenge against a ruthless leader and his army of thugs, headed by nine diverse and deadly assassins.

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Plot Keywords:

stabbed in the face | fight | brawl | shot in the back | mixed martial arts | 

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Taglines:

A civilized weapon for uncivilized times

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Fantasy | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for bloody violence and language

Details

Official Sites:

Cinedigm [United States] Official Blog

Country:

USA

Language:

English Japanese

Release Date:

30 November 2011 (South Korea)

Also Known As:

Бунраку

Filming Locations:

Romania

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Snoot Entertainment, Picturesque Films, Ram Bergman Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

124 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Snoot Entertainment's Keith Calder decided to produce this movie because he has always loved films in the "no-name stranger coming to town and ending up in a bigger struggle" genre. This movie was, for him, the opportunity to take this genre and spin it on its head and bring a unique and strong visual style to it.

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Goofs

When shooting the burning arrow, we see Yoshi's finger wrapped around it. This would not work in reality, as not only would the arrow go entirely it's own way without any control, but it would also cause friction burns, and probably cuts, on the finger. That is a mistake one makes only once.

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Quotes

[first lines]
The Narrator: Long before the dawn of man, strife was already a major component of life. Wherever a creature shared a piece of land with another, it was just a matter of time until a struggle for resources would ensue. Man was no different, showcasing a perverse fascination with violence. Man and civilization brought forth more innovative ways of taking human life than any other function needed for survival. There are more ways of killing a man than there are ways of making bread or making love....

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Connections

References The Wizard of Oz (1939)

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Soundtracks

Putting on the Blitz
Written by Ben Watkins
Performed by Ben Watkins
Courtesy of Barbarian Inc

User Reviews

Moving pictures. Literally.

What a pleasant surprise! So many symbols, details and colors. This movie is, like it says in the summary - moving pictures. Of course, the comparison with Sin City is inevitable, but this is different. Original. Poetry of composing colorful images. And yet, it still looks like a comic book brought to life. Or a theater of shadows. Or puppets (which is what Bunraku is all about, as a traditional Japanese theater). Everything made of drawings, cardboard and wood, except for some vehicles (Europeans will feel some nostalgia seeing old Fiat 600 and Reanault R8 Gordini) and swords. Surreal and yet very much close to what we imagine as real. Cast is excellent, as well as direction, editing, music and camera. Why not 10 stars then? There are some theatrical element I thing are not adequate for the whole composition. But you don't have to be so picky. Watch it and enjoy the art of making movies as moving pictures.