Independent British distributors Third Window Films have detailed two upcoming Blu-ray releases: Takeshi Kitano's
Kikujiro (1999) and
Dolls (2002). The two releases will be available for purchase in early 2016.
Kikujiro
Multi-talented filmmaker Takeshi 'Beat' Kitano takes a break from the violent gangster films which made his name outside Japan to deliver this story of the friendship between a small boy and a washed-up yakusa. When young Masao (Yusuke Sekiguchi) discovers a picture of his long-lost mother at his grandmother's house, he decides to leave the city and go in search of her. Travelling with the lazy, small-time gangster Kikujuro (Kitano), Masao's journey gets off to a bad start when the pair lose all their money at the racetrack and are forced to continue on foot. As their journey develops, and as they reach their final destination, the pair begin to appreciate that the most important thing about their quest has been the time they spent together. New 2K restoration.
Special Features:
- Jam Session - 90 minute documentary on Kikujiro directed by the award-winning Japanese director Makoto Shinozaki
STREET DATE: FEBRUARY 22.
Dolls
Three short stories inspired by Japanese Bunraku puppet theatre. The first story concerns a young couple roaming the countryside, bound by a red cord. In the second, an elderly yakuza returns to the park where he used to meet the girlfriend he abandoned. Whilst in the third story, when a pop star becomes a recluse after an accident, one of his fans visits him to prove the extent of her devotion. New 2K restoration.
Special Features:
- Interviews with Takeshi Kitano, Miho Kanno, Hidetoshi Nishijima & Yohij Yamamoto
- Behind the Scenes
- Video from the film's premiere at the Venice Film Festival
STREET DATE: MARCH 14.
Note: The first 1000 copies of each feature cardboard slipcases with new illustrated artwork by Marie Bergeron supported by Filmdoo's Film Creativity Competition.