Dragons and Tigers
  Takeshis'
[TAKES]  

Japan, 2005, 108 min, Color , 35mm

Directed By: Kitano Takeshi
PRODS: Mori Masayuki, Yoshida Takio
SCR/ED: Kitano Takeshi
CAM: Yanagijima Katsumi
MUS: Nagi
CAST: Beat Takeshi, Kyono Kitomi, Kishimoto Kayoko, Osugi Ren, Terajima Susumu, Watanabe Tetsu, Miwa Akihiro, Tachibana Daigoro, The Stripes
  
 Film Resources 
  No, it’s not a misprint. The title of Kitano’s splendid new film is indeed in the plural, and does indeed denote possession without indicating what is possessed. The working title was Fractal, which suggests the kind of ideas in play: this is a splintered narrative, densely populated with doppelgängers and tripelgängers, which explores alternative realities and possibilities. It centres on two Kitanos, one a successful TV star, the other a lonely would-be actor who constantly fails auditions. When the latter is introduced to the former (he asks for his autograph), he finds his dreams invaded by violent gangster fantasies straight outta Sonatine... Is this an author’s confession? Or a knowing tease?

Either way, these two are surrounded by many other doubles and triples as the multiplying storylines fracture into a world of infinite chances and choices. The only fixed points in this dizzying illusion are, ironically, two iconic figures who combine alternative possibilities and identities within one body: Japan’s most famous drag-queen chanteuse Miwa Akihiro (formerly Maruyama, friend of Mishima, the original Black Lizard) and her younger confrere Tachibana Daigoro (the transvestite geisha in Zatoichi). In short, Kitano has responded to the global success of Zatoichi by making his most "experimental" film yet: a sunny pleasure dome with caves of ice. And tap dancing.

Violent Cop (89), Boiling Point (90), A Scene at the Sea (91), Sonatine (93), Getting Any? (95), Kids Return (96), Hana-bi (97), Kikujiro (99), Brother (00), Dolls (02), Zatoichi (03)
 
Screening Schedule
 Date Time Venue Tickets 
 Sun, Oct 2 9:45 pm Visa Screening Room @Vogue $9.50   
 Sun, Oct 9 4:00 pm Visa Screening Room @Vogue $7.50   
   
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