We Are X (2016)

A documentary film about the legendary Japanese rock band X JAPAN.

Director:

Stephen Kijak

Stars:

Yoshiki, Hiroshi Morie, Sugizo

2 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Yoshiki	...	Self
Toshimitsu Deyama	...	Self (as Toshi)
Tomoaki Ishizuka	...	Self (as Pata)
Hiroshi Morie	...	Self (as Heath)
Sugizo	...	Self
Hideto Matsumoto	...	Self (archive footage)
Taiji Sawada	...	Self (archive footage)
Gene Simmons	...	Self
Wes Borland	...	Self
Richard Fortus	...	Self
Marilyn Manson	...	Self
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Dir en Grey	...	Themselves
Glay	...	Themselves
Stan Lee	...	Self

Storyline

From the production team behind the Oscar® winning Searching for Sugar Man comes We Are X, a transcendent rock and roll story about X Japan, the world's biggest and most successful band you've never heard of...yet. Under the enigmatic direction of drummer, pianist, composer, and producer Yoshiki, X Japan has sold over 30 million singles and albums combined--captivating such a wide range of admirers as Sir George Martin, KISS, Stan Lee, and even the Japanese Emperor--and pioneered a spectacle-driven style of visual rock, creating a one-of-a-kind cultural phenomenon. Chronicling the band's exhilarating, tumultuous and unimaginable history over the past three decades--persevering through personal, physical and spiritual heartache--the film culminates with preparations for their breathtaking reunion concert at New York's legendary Madison Square Garden. Directed by acclaimed documentarian Stephen Kijak (Stones in Exile, Scott Walker: 30 Century Man), We Are X is an astonishingly intimate ...

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Plot Keywords:

rock band | rock music | music band | suicide | death | 

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Taglines:

The Death and Life of X Japan

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Genres:

Documentary | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Japan]

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English Japanese

Release Date:

23 January 2018 (USA)

Also Known As:

WE ARE X

Filming Locations:

Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,526, 23 October 2016

Gross USA:

$45,270

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$548,126

Company Credits

Production Co:

Passion Pictures, Prettybird

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Available on both DVD and Blu-ray.

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Soundtracks

Amethyst
Performed by Yoshiki

User Reviews

One of the world's most fascinating bands

X Japan is a band like no other. The band combined punk aesthetics with speed metal musicianship and unusually emotional lyrics which led to the existence of the so-called Visual Kei genre. After growing in the underground for several years, the band rose to stardom in Japan in the late eighties. The group went on to integrate more and more elements of classical music in its sound and gradually focused on writing epic ballads throughout the nineties. The band attempted to conquer the international market but didn't have the self-confidence to release an entirely anglophone record. They were however considered highly influential stars in their home country, similar to what bands like Queen achieved in the Western world.

What sets this band apart from many others is its share of tragic events. Band leader Yoshiki's father committed suicide without leaving any explanations behind when his son was only ten years old. This event would traumatize the brilluant but fragile band leader for the rest of his life. When the band reaches its peak of success, influential bassist Taiji was fired under vague but emotional circumstances. Singer Toshi started to be manipulated by a sect his wife was a member of that declared X Japan's music devilish work that would harm the Japanese society and the singer decided to exit the group, leading to a shocking disbandment in 1997. Charismatic guitarist hide died under mysterious circumstances less than a year later, hanging himself with a towel hanging from a doorknob. Experts consider it a suicide while fans believe it was an accident. This event came close to a national tragedy as several fans committed suicide in similar ways. Former bassist Taiji would also end up committing suicide with a bedsheet in a prison cell after having been arrested following inappropriate behaviour on a flight in Japan.

Despite all these hardships, the band reunited ten years after it had called it quits, willing to achieve international success this time. The band played numerous shows all around the world including a concert at legendary Madison Square Garden.

This last event is the leitmotiv of this documentary as we witness the media work, band practices and the concert itself. Band leader Yoshiki is the key figure in this documentary and tells us his story and the one of X Japan in numerous flashbacks. Singer Toshi also opens about the time when he was brainwashed by his former wife. The other members sadly don't have much to add. Local and international supporters of the band tell some anecdotes from Yoshiki's mother over Gene Simmons to Stan Lee.

The documentary manages to help X Japan rise to international acclaim. It captures the melodramatic essence of this innovative band. It's filled with amusing, curious and depressing anecdotes we won't forget.

The only negative elements are the facts that the documentary focuses too much on Yoshiki and not enough on the band X Japan and that the emotionally draining melodramatic anecdotes sometimes feel exhausting.

Still, any music fan should watch this documentary, no matter if you usually listen to classical music, pop music or heavy metal. X Japan certainly is one of the most fascinating bands in the planet.