Shield of Straw (or if you prefer Wara no tate) is an upcoming police-thriller which comes from controversial Japanese director Takashi Miike, and is selected to compete for the Palme d'Or at this year's Cannes Film Festival.
We recommend you to check out official trailers and some great images from the movie, because this project definitely looks promising.
Takashi Miike directed the movie from a script written by Tamio Hayashi, based on the novel of the same name by Kazuhiro Kiuchi. It revolves around two cops, played by Takao Osawa and Nanako Matsushima who are tasked with escorting a convicted killer across Japan.
The whole thing starts with the ad placed in all the main newspapers in Japan that goes like this: Kill Kunihide Kiyomaru, and I will pay you 1 billion Yen. The rest of the story then goes like this:
“In placing the ad, the powerful multi-billionnaire Ninagawa puts an irresistible price on the head of the man he believes to be his granddaughter's killer. Realising he has become a target for millions of people, Kiyomaru turns himself in at the Fukuoka Police Station. Four officers are dispatched to bring Kiyomaru back to Tokyo, risking their own life, but now any number of assassins lie in wait on the 1.200km journey. The trip becomes a hellish chase, with potential killers at every turn. Will the police get Kiyomaru to Tokyo to face justice, or will justice of a different nature prevail?”
The rest of Shield of Straw cast includes Tatsuya Fujiwara, Kento Nagayama and Tsutomu Yamazaki.
Let us know what you think about these images and trailers, and stay tuned for more updates!
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LB-zK5fxwk[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53bmCNv2sog[/youtube]
