Tokyo Pop (1988) coming from Kino Lorber on October 3

[whiteberry]

Bleach-blonde wannabe rocker Wendy (Carrie Hamilton) is disillusioned with her life in New York City. After receiving a postcard from Japan saying “wish you were here,” she spontaneously hops on a plane to Tokyo with dreams of making it big as a singer. Quickly finding herself broke and a fish out of water, she moves into a youth hostel for gaijin (foreigners) and takes up work as a hostess at a karaoke bar. Just when she’s at her breaking point, she meets Hiro (Diamond Yukai), a rock ‘n’ roller whose band is looking for their big break. They form a romantic and musical connection and Hiro convinces Wendy to become their lead singer. Through a combination of hustle and luck, they stumble into their 15 minutes of fame, but Wendy soon comes to realize that being a gaijin rocker may be nothing more than a passing fad. An underseen gem of ‘80s American independent cinema by Fran Rubel Kuzui (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Tokyo Pop takes us on a breezy tour through bubble era Tokyo, replete with knowing nods to the city’s vibrant pop culture.

Extras

• Audio commentary by director Fran Rubel Kuzui
• Re-Release Trailer

https://kinolorber.com/product/tokyo-pop

Original Trailer:

Tokyo Pop Trailer 1988 - YouTube

New Trailer:

Tokyo Pop – Official Re-Release Trailer - YouTube

Original Poster:


Warner Home Video VHS:


Soundtrack:
https://www.discogs.com/master/75218...ure-Soundtrack



Carrie Hamilton "Never Forget" 7" promotional single:
https://www.discogs.com/release/1470...n-Never-Forget



2019 Introduction and Q&A with director Fran Rubel Kuzui:

Tokyo Pop - Intro + Q&A with director Fran Rubel Kuzui - YouTube

Articles on the 4K restoration and Kino Lorber's theatrical re-release:

• Thanks To Carol Burnett And Dolly Parton, New Life For A 1988 Film (The New York Times, August 4, 2023)
  
• Fran Rubel Kuzui On Tokyo Pop (rogerebert.com, August 02, 2023)

Kino Lorber's website for the theatrical re-release:
https://kinolorber.com/film/tokyo-pop

Kino Lorber's press kit with director Fran Rubel Kuzui's "Reflections On Tokyo Pop, 35 Years Later":
https://4f399d350e4882ff73b9-0f00c87...0Kit_Final.pdf

Reviews:
https://letterboxd.com/film/tokyo-pop/
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096281/reviews
https://www.metacritic.com/movie/tokyo-pop