Cannes 2011: Takashi Miike’s Ichimei/Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai

Don’t know why, but we’re always interested in Japanese projects, especially those who will premiere In Competition at the Cannes Film Festival.

Takashi Miike‘s upcoming Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai, or simply – Ichimei, is not an exception, although this movie will not be the only Japanese film at Cannes this year.

Ichimei is the first live-action 3D film to compete at any of the three major international film festivals (Cannes, Berlin, Venice) and as we said, it will be screened with the English title Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai. The movie is actually a 3D remake of Kobayashi Masaki’s 1962 film Seppuku, also known as Harakiri.

This time, Yamagishi Kikumi was in charge for the screenplay, and here’s the synopsis part:

“Seeking an honorable end, poverty-stricken samurai Hanshiro requests to commit hara-kiri in the courtyard of feudal lord Kageyu’s estate. Trying to dismiss Hanshiro’s wish to save face, Kageyu recounts the tragic story of a similar plea years ago from young ronin Motome. But the arrogant lord is unaware of vengeful Hanshiro’s bond to Motome…”

Movie stars kabuki actor Ichikawa Ebizo as Hanshirô Tsugumo, Eita as Motome Chijiiwa, Mitsushima Hikari as Miho Tsugumo and Yakusho Koji as Kageyu Saitô.

64th Cannes Film Festival runs from May 11-22, 2011. We’ll keep an eye on it, stay tuned!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZkd2XfzOys&feature[/youtube]

Hara-Kiri: Death Of A Samurai Teaser Trailer