Warner Bros. Japan to open "Last Ronin" in Los Angeles and Tokyo, Dec 17 Celebrating the Japanese tradition of honor and loyalty, in a heartful interpretation of Japan's most cherished samurai saga, Warner Bros. Pictures Japan will open its latest film "Last Ronin" staring Koji Yakusho in Los Angeles and Tokyo on Dec 17. In Los Angeles, Mann Chinese 6 is the exclusive theater for this film.
The Last Ronin (Saigo no Chushingura) 133 min Warner Bros. Pictures Japan
Opening Dec 17, 2010 Exclusive engagement at Mann Chinese 6 in Hollywood www.chushingura.jp
Staff Directed by Shigemichi Sugita Screenplay by Yozo Tanaka Based on the novel "Saigo no Chushingura" by Shoichiro Ikemiya Director of Photography Mustuo Naganuma (J.S.C)
Cast Koji Yakusho Koichi Sato Nanami Sakuraba Nizaemon Kataoka
The legacy story of 47 ronin (Chusingura), samurai who avenged the death of their load in a daring raid, is deeply embedded in Japanese lore. Told and retold on the stage, in novels and films, this irresistible narrative of revenge, honor and sacrifice has been recapturing Japanese hearts for three centuries.
Warner Bros. Pictures Japan, which continues to deliver boxoffice hits of Japanese audiences, has adapted this cherished samurai legend as a local production. They has produced The Last Ronin, confident that the theme of loyalty and the samurai spirit will move audiences around the world.
The Last Ronin is inspired by the true story of 47 ronin who fought to restore honor to their dead master's name by surrendering their own lives. The Last Ronin depicts the untold heroism of one man charged to live, in order to fulfill a secret mission, rather than honorably fight and die with his comrades. The star-studded cast is led by the internationally acclaimed Koji Yakusho (Memoirs of Geisha, Babel, The Eel and Shall We Dance?) portraying the ronin Magoza. Playing opposite Yakusho is Koichi Sato - winner of four Japanese Academy Awards - who plays a samurai destined to be reunited with his longtime friend.
The film is brilliantly photographed by Mutsuo Naganuma, capturing the light and landscape of beautiful, dramatic Kyoto.
Story: It was supposed to be over 47 ronin (masterless samurai) had shocked Japan by avenging their lord's death in a daring raid and then committing ritual suicide.
Sixteen years have passed. Unknown to the world, the most unlikely character is carrying out a secret mission. Magozo (Koji Yakusho) is the ronin who betrayed his comrades on the eve of their attacked by simply disappearing. Disguised as an antiques dealer, he lives deep in a bamboo forest, protecting a secret.
So grave is his secret, Magozo even draws his sword against his old comrade, Kichie (Koichi Sato), who stumbles on him by chance. What secret would drive a man to dishonor himself and live a life of shame, and even attacked his best friend? The answer lies with a Sixteen-year-old girl, Kane, who also lives in the bamboo forest....
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