Tokyo Tribe - a must-see film from Japan

[toddly6666]

Tokyo Tribe is playing here in Hong Kong. It will be such a crime if this movie doesnt get distributed on English-subtitled video. This is the film that succeeds where The Rooftop failed. A live-action manga adaptation rap musical which is like a Warriors remake directed by Gaspar Noe, Baz Luhrmann, and Takashi Miike. While the story is nothing original, the film is a total experience and is a perfect type of film to be a cult classic years from now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYy7_...ature=youtu.be

[Dan8700]

Eureka said they will release this in early 2015, for sure.

[Futurhythm]

TOKYO TRIBE NEVER EVER DIE

I capped off my Japanese Film Festival circuit with this movie last night. It's absolutely wonderfully insane. It does have some odd edits and some pacing issues, but those are very minor complaints. I never knew I needed a Japanese hip-hopera in my life, and I was such a fool.

It was also my first Sion Sono. He's been on my radar for a while now, but I've just never gotten around to his stuff.

[toddly6666]

Originally Posted by Dan8700

Eureka said they will release this in early 2015, for sure.

On Blu-ray? Since it is a director that gets his releases usually released in the west, there is a good chance that a bunch of countries will release this on English-subtitled blu? I hope Well Go or Drafthouse releases this on blu in USA.

Originally Posted by Futurhythm

TOKYO TRIBE NEVER EVER DIE

I capped off my Japanese Film Festival circuit with this movie last night. It's absolutely wonderfully insane. It does have some odd edits and some pacing issues, but those are very minor complaints. I never knew I needed a Japanese hip-hopera in my life, and I was such a fool.

It was also my first Sion Sono. He's been on my radar for a while now, but I've just never gotten around to his stuff.

First Sion Sono too. The majority of the film was awesome eventhough I blinked out for a few of some scenes that did throw off pacing but the highlights of this film (and because it's just so unique and wacky) outweigh the few negatives.

The music is still in my head - I loved the narrator dude. And that famous actor in it who fattened up into Steven Seagal was just hillarious. Im really thinking about seeing it in the theater again.

[Futurhythm]

Yeah, the narrator dude was great! I also loved the High Priest and the old woman DJ. They should've appeared more. In fact, it's all the random side characters which really bring the world to life.

E ven though they were awesome, I thought some of the fighting started to look the same after a while, especially the bits with Sunmi and Yon with the kicking and the flipping. That and the main story kind of dragged along because even though a lot was happening on screen, nothing was actually happening to keep things moving forward.

As for the odd editing, 95% of the movie is so fluid and the camera and editing is excellent. But certain scenes seemed to cut off unexpectedly. I don't know if they were longer and things were shortened or what, but it just seemed weird where some scenes were cut. I remember this happening a few times, but the very first is in Yon's first fight. After he runs off, the fat boss says something like "Get that little bastard" and it almost seems like it cuts off before he's even finished talking.

[cardiac161]

I really pray this film gets released in Blu ray in North America! I love all of Sono's films and with his recent works like"Why Don't You Play in Hell?", "Himizu" and "Guilty of Romance" being available, prospects seem good.

[Turtleheart]

Originally Posted by toddly6666

On Blu-ray?

In cinemas. So on BD in mid-to-late 2015, to guesstimate.

[manicsounds]

Question, I saw it in cinemas in Japan, and the songs included burned-in subtitles in Japanese (so the audience could rap along). Did the Hong Kong prints remove these? I assume it would be crowded having English, Chinese, and Japanese subtitles all on the screen at the same time...

[toddly6666]

Originally Posted by manicsounds

Question, I saw it in cinemas in Japan, and the songs included burned-in subtitles in Japanese (so the audience could rap along). Did the Hong Kong prints remove these? I assume it would be crowded having English, Chinese, and Japanese subtitles all on the screen at the same time...

just English and Chinese subs - no burned in Japanese subs on HK theater print.

HK usually releases english-subtitled Blurays/dvds for the Japanese movies that play in HK theaters. But it only played in one art-house theater so Im afraid that a HK video company wont release it.

[baboonboy]

Originally Posted by manicsounds

Question, I saw it in cinemas in Japan, and the songs included burned-in subtitles in Japanese (so the audience could rap along). Did the Hong Kong prints remove these? I assume it would be crowded having English, Chinese, and Japanese subtitles all on the screen at the same time...

One particular theater in Tokyo screened English subtitled version of the movie
on November. It was only limited to a week though. So the Japanese sub is not burned-in.

[CMoney]

A thread about TOKYO TRIBE? Sweet! (Long post alert!)

I saw this film back in September, & I loved, loved, LOVED it! It was my most anticipated film of 2014, which became my favorite film of 2014. I ended up seeing it again, that's how much I loved it. It took the notion, of being "over the top," & took it over the top. I actually had originally planned to order the soundtrack, before I even saw the film, just because the trailer was just awesome. The english subtitles were really good. At times, while the rap in Japanese rhymed, the subtitles didn't. They worked with 2 of the rappers, who did music, to help with the Rap translations.

Here's an interesting fact. On the soundtrack, some of rhymes are edited for profanity. The weird thing is, the songs are uncut in film. They recorded versions of the songs on set, to make it sound like they're rapping, as the events are occuring. This included pitch changes, that aren't on the studio masters.

Will get it released in the U.S? I hope so. I would buy the Japanese BD, without subtitles, if it wasn't so expensive. This film is a tough sell, according to someone I spoke to, who has work on a couple of Japanese films. I think Drafthouse Films may of passed on this, because I think they would of already picked it up before September hit. They're real cool with the guys who are handling US sales, XYZ Films. I don't know this to be fact though. Unless a company like Well Go decides to pick this up, I don't really see anyone here picking it up for distribution. Obviously, the UK will release it, as Eureka has theatrical/distrubtion rights.

However, I can't confirm this, but some people in the U.S. may being able to see it in 2015.

Sorry for the long post. In case you couldn't tell, I kind of enjoyed this film.

[Grethiwha]

A Drafthouse release would be wonderful; I'm currently counting down the days until a month today – their release of Why Don't You Play in Hell? – that's my most anticipated film at the moment. And they're a great company.

But yeah, I'm desperately hoping someone, anyone, will pick it up here. Or by some miracle that the Eureka release will be region-free.

Missed my chance to see it in the theatre. I don't know what part of "let's drive 3 hours to Toronto to watch a Sion Sono yakuza rap musical" my friend didn't understand, but yeah, apparently it is a tough sell for some people.

[CMoney]

I would of driven by myself. I wanted to fly to Toronto, to see it. Someone I sort of knew was there, as well as Sono, & the main actor, who's also a rapper, Young Dais. WHY DON'T YOU PLAY IN HELL, was actually my most anticipated film in 2013, which I was actually able to see. Usually it's almost a year before I see a lot of Asian films in a theatre.

There's always a chance Drafthouse Films will pick it up, but I doubt it. They grabbed the last one quickly, & I would think they would of wanted the deal done, before Fantastic Fest earlier this year (where I saw TOKYO TRIBE). Well Go is the only place I could see it going. It should be noted that Well Go DOES have the NA rights to the film KILLERS. They both are Nikkatsu films, share the same producer, & for KILLERS, XYZ Films is one of the production companies, which is handling US sales for TOKYO TRIBE.

[toddly6666]

It would make no sense if it didn't get released outside of Asia - mixing Asian-style action and rap? I couldn't think of a more marketable mixture. Action Slate, Funimation, Tokyo Shock or Well Go would seem to be the obvious choices.

[CMoney]

Originally Posted by toddly6666

It would make no sense if it didn't get released outside of Asia - mixing Asian-style action and rap? I couldn't think of a more marketable mixture. Action Slate, Funimation, Tokyo Shock or Well Go would seem to be the obvious choices.

Well keep in mind, J-Rap is obviously not in English. Most fans of Rap music in the U.S, will not listen to anything that isn't English. Much less, watch a subtitled film. The people who would have the most interest in this film, will either be Sono fans, or fans of genre/Asian films. Some may be Rap fans, but I believe it'll be a minority. I just happened to be huge fans of both, thus I feel I got more enjoyment from the film.

If I'm right, in terms of Drafthouse passing on the film, I wouldn't be surprised if Well Go picks up the rights. The UK will release it though. I just hope they use the same subtitles, as the ones used during its festival run. I honestly would buy the JP BD, if it wasn't $48-$50.

[TomN245]

Originally Posted by CMoney

I would of driven by myself. I wanted to fly to Toronto, to see it. Someone I sort of knew was there, as well as Sono, & the main actor, who's also a rapper, Young Dais. WHY DON'T YOU PLAY IN HELL, was actually my most anticipated film in 2013, which I was actually able to see. Usually it's almost a year before I see a lot of Asian films in a theatre.

I flew to Toronto especially for TIFF this year, and packed 11 films into 4 days. I was ecstatic to get a ticket to the Midnight Madness screening of Tokyo Tribe (I had seen eleven of his films). The audience was in a frenzy, and was going absolutely Ape during the film. It was absolutely brilliant! I'm not kidding when I say you have to experience a Midnight Madness screening at TIFF before you die :P

Director and actors were awesome (I was in awe of Sono's presence). The film was brilliant, probably my third favourite of the festival behind Kaguya and Song of the Sea. I'm definitely buying the Eureka blu when it comes out to see with my mates. We tend to watch cult/horror films and this is definitely a film to watch with a crowd. Last week we met up and watched Nekromantik... Safe to say that didn't go too well, although the end had us in fits of laughter.

Still waiting for a release of Why Don't you Play in Hell in the UK. I watched it online (the temptation was too much) and is my film of the year. If there's anyone new to Sono, watch Love Exposure. It is mandatory for everyone. It's not an option YOU HAVE TO SEE IT

My favourite part of the film was when the girl jumps in, in a yellow jumpsuit and the guy says in English:
"Oh I know, you are Kill Bill"
Woman replies:
"I am not Kill Bill, I am BRUCE LEE"
*dropkick*

[baboonboy]

Originally Posted by TomN245

My favourite part of the film was when the girl jumps in, in a yellow jumpsuit and the guy says in English:
"Oh I know, you are Kill Bill"
Woman replies:
"I am not Kill Bill, I am BRUCE LEE"
*dropkick*

That's Nakagawa Shoko a.k.a Shokotan.

[CMoney]

Originally Posted by TomN245

I flew to Toronto especially for TIFF this year, and packed 11 films into 4 days. I was ecstatic to get a ticket to the Midnight Madness screening of Tokyo Tribe (I had seen eleven of his films). The audience was in a frenzy, and was going absolutely Ape during the film. It was absolutely brilliant! I'm not kidding when I say you have to experience a Midnight Madness screening at TIFF before you die :P

Even though I saw it twice in Austin, I wanted to go to that screening. I had a video of the Q&A saved in my bookmarks, to watch when I get the chance. At some point, I'll hit up TIFF. I've been to Fantasia, in Montreal, which has had really strong line ups the past few years.

If you've never been, you have to check out Fantastic Fest. They're not kidding when they said it's the largest genre film festival in North America. It's a week of insanity. If you can't stay the whole week, stay the first 4 days. They're serious about film, & zero tolerance on talking/texting during the film. If you're very familiar with Drafthouse Films, then at some point, you've heard about Fantastic Fest.

I was listening to the soundtrack earlier today. It's actually my favorite Rap album of the year. It's like a condensed version of the film, in audio form. I just wish I understood Japanese, besides a handful of words, & all the words in English. Maybe if I listen long enough, I'll somehow learn the language.

[Grethiwha]

If I had my own car I may well have gone by myself. Sounds awesome.

I'm not a rap fan personally but I am a fan of unconventional genre mixes, and there's no part of 'yakuza rap musical' I don't like the sound of. Plus I'm a huge Sono fan.

Love Exposure is the ultimate Sono film and my favourite film of the last two decades, so yeah, that's a must if it seems remotely like something you might like. I've also seen every other Sono film available with English subs up to WDYPIH, and Hazard, Exte, Strange Circus, Cold Fish, and the Suicide Club movies are also all extra-amazing.

[CMoney]

I feel it's a film that you don't have to be a Rap fan, to enjoy it. Is it greatest of all time? No. Are there things that didn't make sense from a plot stand point? Yeah. However, I overlooked all that, because it's an insanely, amazingly fun film. It takes the idea of being "over the top," & takes it over the top. It made me want to watch the anime at some point, based off the manga. I don't even watch anime. It's WEST SIDE STORY, meets THE WARRIORS, meets Rap.

I will watch LOVE EXPOSURE at some point. I have a copy. It's just, it's practically a 4 hour film. As great as any film is, I still would have to get in the mood, to watch a film that long.