THE STORY
An alternate world with an alternate history.
The entire planet was divided between two opposing alliances.
After fifty years of bitter warfare,
the Greater Eastern Federation triumphs over
the forces of Europa and gains dominion over the Eurasian continent.
However, this is an empty victory.
Years of chemical, biological and nuclear war have poisoned the land and
left an exhausted population at the mercy of every pestilence and newly-mutated disease.
It seems that there's little hope for humanity's future.
Debate rages over the chances of finding some way to stave off
the seemingly-inevitable decline of civilization.
One man comes forward with a possible solution.
Dr. Azuma is a geneticist who proposes a "neo-cell" treatment that
can rejuvenate the body and regenerate humankind.
He's driven in his studies by a desire to save his beloved wife, Midori,
from the ravages of pollution-related disease.
He appeals for funding to the government
but the politicians in the Health Ministry turn him down,
fearing that the new technology will threaten their entrenched powers.
However, a sinister faction in the powerful military makes
a secret offer to provide the support he needs to further his research.
When an incident occurs in the lab that sends
the Professor's "neo-cell" cloning experiment haywire,
a race of mutant human beings (Shinzo Ningen) is unleashed upon the world.
Instead of being the savior of mankind,
the Professor's miraculous technology looks set to threaten its very existence...
INTRO
"Why must we keep fighting?"
Set in a uniquely retro-futuristic world,
"CASSHERN" addresses this theme in a powerful drama that is
at once entertaining and profound.
The author behind this extraordinary project is Kazuaki Kiriya,
an acclaimed fashion photographer and music video director.
In addition to co-writing and directing the film, he also served as its cinematographer.
He recruited some of Japan's finest creative talents to help him,
including CG Supervisor - Haruhiko Shono(GADGET),
Visual FX Supervisor - Toshiyuki Kimura (Dragonhead, Ring),
Action Scene Story Board - Shinji Higuchi (Gamela, Evangelion),
Production Designer - Yuji Hayashida (Ritual, Azumi),
Costume - Michiko Kitamura (Ichi the Killer)
The cast, a mix of veteran actors and rising stars,
is a veritable who's-who of Japanese film talent.
Playing the part of Casshern is Yusuke Iseya (Distance, Afterlife);
his fiancee, Luna, is played by Kumiko Aso (Pulse) and
Toshiaki Karasawa (Welcome Back, Mr. McDonald) is their mortal enemy, the leader of the mutant humans.
Akira Terao (Akira Kurosawa's Dreams) and
Kanako Higuchi (Shara) are some more of the household names that make up the superb supporting cast.
"CASSHERN" harnesses the incredible talents of this team in an epic of
sweeping visual power and deep emotional resonance.