Film - Kuro-obi

Damo W

What is being billed as the first "real" karate movie from Japan will be hitting theaters in Japan in October.
Apparently, plans are in the works to release it worldwide, as well.

Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9-vI4HxRmI

The three young men who are the central figures in the story are all up-and-coming karate practitioners, not actors who went through a crash course. They are:

Yagi Akihito - Gojuryu Meibukan
Naka Tatsuya - JKA
Suzuki Yuji - Kyokushin

—Set in the early years of the Showa Era in Japan, this story revolves around three men who aspire to receive the ‘kuro-obi’ that can go only to the rightful successor. —

The year is 1932. Three men are zealously engaged in karate training at the dojo of Eiken Shibahara. Their names are Taikan, Choei and Giryu. Eiken suddenly dies, but the ‘kuro-obi’ black belt that will designate his successor has not yet been passed on.

“Karate is not about fighting.” Who will be the one to heed Eiken’s words of wisdom and receive the coveted ‘kuro-obi’ to carry on as his successor? In a related development, the Military Police Headquarters takes note of the exceptional skill of these martial art practitioners, and the three men are commanded to join their forces.

Then, the three that have left the dojo are thrust into a terrible encounter with fate…....

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Interview with the director of Kuro Obi, posted on the Okinawa Karatedo Kobudo Support Centre website;

A production of The Klockworx network, "KURO-OBI" features Goju ryu Meibukan Akihito Yagi sensei as the hero. Scheduled to be in theater in autumn 2007, we met Klockworx's Mr. Kojima and director Fuyuhiko Nishi, at the origin of the movie.

Is KURO-OBI an Okinawan karate action movie?
Kojima: It is not an Okinawan karate movie but a karate movie. There are many karate styles in Okinawa and mainland Japan but this movie goes beyond styles to introduce the spirit of karate. And while there is much karate action in the movie, I would say it is more a movie about Budo or martial arts rather than just karate.

Can you tell us about the story?
Kojima: The action takes place in the Japan of 1932. 3 men are the tops students a a karate dojo among which is Akihito Yagi. At the sudden death of their master, his black belt is left to succession. Then starts a story on who will be succeeding the master¡Ä

There are many action actors and karateka in Japan. Why choose Akihito Yagi?
Nishi: I have been looking at karate and other martial arts for more than 20 years, but when I first saw Akihito¡Çs moves, I saw something that I had never seen. It was fascinating. There are many martial artists with long carriers, but seeing Akihito¡Çs kata, I saw not only the kata performed by a real martial artist, but a real aura that was captivating. This is a factor that first class actors have, like a natural talent and Akihito had it. That¡Çs why in my mind he was the perfect person for the role.

After finishing the movie, are you satisfied?
Nishi: Very satisfied. The movie is filled with true karate. I am proud to introduce it as a movie that demonstrates the beauty, way of life and spirit of karate masters. I hope that many karate enthusiasts will enjoy it and that non karate men will want to start practicing this art.

When is the movie scheduled to appear on screen?
Kojima: First, the movie is going to the Montreal International Film Festival August 23rd to September 3rd. Then it should be in Japanese movie theaters in October 2007

pearsquasher

Ugh, looks like one of those awfull o.t.t. "NHK" specials they have in Japan. Think I'll skip that one.......