Casshern

[lineartube]

I'm looking forward to seeing this. Japanese Sci-f at its best?

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.

http://www.casshern.com/

'

 

[Mr. Just-A-Guy]

I didn't watch it yet, but I'm totally excited about it.
Here is the link for the trailer, for those who haven't seen it. (pretty good stuff)

Quicktime required:
http://www.casshern.com/mov/trailer640.mov

 

[Apollo]

I have seen the trailer for it a couple of months ago, and it looks very interesting. (www.casshern.com)
I hope it is good as it looks!!

 

[Legato]

It looks really good, I hope it it will be up to my expectations. The soundtrack sounds good too, I'll have to check that out.
*goes on a new quest to gather information*

Apparently it will be relesed on DVD on october 23rd in the US

 

[Mr. Just-A-Guy]

The soundtrack is AWESOME! I've listened to all tracks. It's a 2 disc set, containing Vocal tracks and BGM tracks (by Shiro Sagisu, the same composer from EVANGELION!). Look at P2P like eMule and u will find it.

 

[BigBossIchi]

DreamWorks has obtained domestic distribution rights for acclaimed Japanese music video director Kazuaki Kiriya's CASSHERN, and will release the film in the USA through its Go Fish Pictures.

An action-packed sci-fi thriller, CASSHERN blends Japanimation and
manga-inspired live action (human cast) resulting a new kind of hybrid
filmmaking that is both visually stunning and thought-provoking. The
story of the begins after 50 years of devastating war between Europa and
the Eastern Federation, and when the latter has emerged victorious, the
new federation of Eurasia is formed. A geneticist named Azuma brings
hope in the form of a "neo-cell," which can rejuvenate human parts with
no risk of rejection. But nature interferes with science to create a
new kind of menace that forces the entire human race to fight an
ultimate war against its own extinction.


Hmmm...I still might pick up the Japanese two disc SE.

 

[TwistedMac]

so.. just watched it yesterday... definatelly worth a watch!
there are a few unexpected plottwists and such and it holds up throughout the entire thing.

Definatelly recommended for anyone that slightly liked the trailer.

 

[noodle]

i thought the plot got shaky at the end.

but the visuals were gorgeous. ^_^

 

[joel.lindgren]

Just so you know, don't except an action movie like the Trailer foretells.

 

[TwistedMac]

you didn't find it action-y?..
I did

 

[joel.lindgren]

It's not an action movie. it's a drama with some action in it. I think the trailer showed some kind of Japanese matrix/lotr movie.

 

[TwistedMac]

action-drama?