DEAF
& DARKLIGHT PRESENT FILMS @ IFI
Tekkonkinkreet
From the creators of Animatrix comes a
visually stunning new anime film based on a popular Japanese
manga written by Taiyo Matsumoto. Directed by American Michael
Arias (also responsible for effects
photography on Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away), Tekkonkinkreet
features a soundtrack by UK electronica veterans Plaid.
The story focuses on two orphans: street
urchins who patrol their home metropolis of Treasure Town
doing battle with an array of Yakuza gangsters, religious
fanatics and alien assassins, whose skills and friendship
are put to the ultimate test when a corporation called Kiddy
Kastle tries to tear down and rebuild Treasure Town according
to its own twisted ends.
Taiyo Matsumoto ( Matsumoto Taiyo, born
1967) made his debut in Afternoon, Kodansha's weekly manga
magazine, but is probably best known for his works with
Kodansha's rival publisher Shogakukan, including Black &
White , Ping Pong and No. 5. He has won wild critical praise
for his unconventional and often surrealist art style, and
is perhaps one of the most influential manga artists of
his time. Ping Pong and Aoi Haru have been adapted into
live action feature films. Acclaimed animation studio 'Studio
4' adapted Black and White into an anime feature film, called
Tekkon-Kinkurito in Japanese. Matsumoto's subsequent works
would bear a unique art style that reflected both Japanese
and European influences. His art is best described as surreal,
with frenzied line-work and bizarre backgrounds. The energy
of his artwork is mirrored in the stories he tells. Matsumoto's
manga has covered a variety of topics, from sports to family
comedy to science fiction epic, but each work bears a unique
brand of storytelling. While his unique approach to storytelling
has only resulted in mild commercial success, it has earned
him many devoted fans around the world. He is also highly
regarded in critical circles; some people even consider
him to be one of the best mangaka of his generation.
Tekkon-Kinkurito was released in Japan in
late 2006. US distribution rights lie with Sony Pictures
Releasing, who plan to release the film as Tekkonkinkreet.
This will be the Irish premiere screening.
Tropical Malady
Described by The Guardian as one of “the most daring and strangest movies of the year”, Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s Tropical Malady offers a dream-like story set in the jungles of north Eastern Thailand. Two young men form an intensely close relationship which is sundered when one disappears from their village – an apparent victim of a mysterious otherworldly creature said to be terrorizing local communities.
Winner of the Prix du Jury at the Cannes
Film Festival 2004 and the Grand Prize at the fifth FILMeX
Festival in Tokyo, Tropical Malady serves up a folk-tale
the likes of which you haven’t witnessed before.
SATURDAY 27th OCTOBER
DEAF & Darklight Festival Film Screening
Film: Tekkonkinkreet - Soundtrack by Plaid [Japanese Manga Film]
Date: Saturday October 27th
Venue: IFI [Irish Film Institute]
Address: Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
Admission: €7.75
Time: 12 noon
Tickets available from IFI Box Office
MONDAY 29th OCTOBER
DEAF & Darklight Festival Film Screening
Film: Tropical Malady by Apichatpong Weerasethakul [Thailand]
Date: Saturday October 27th
Venue: IFI [Irish Film Institute]
Address: Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
Admission: €7.75
Time: 12 noon
Tickets available from IFI Box Office
