“You cannot beat concrete.”
Considering the link between spirit and body has been one of the main themes in his work, perhaps it was only a matter of time before the Japanese director would explore the world of sports. While “Tetsuo II: The Body Hammer” already dealt with the body being altered through outside forces, in this case post-industrial culture and modernity’s obsession with physical optimization, Tsukamoto’s next project would go in a different direction. However, keen observers will quickly notice many similarities between this film and “Tokyo Fist” which may not only serve as an extension of these issues, but also as a visual allegory for the fragility of our bodies, and their connection to our spirit.
“Tokyo Fist” is screening at Nippon Connection
Another interesting parallel, which, for example, author Tom Mes points out, is how the story of “Tokyo Fist” mirrors its director’s biography too.
Considering the link between spirit and body has been one of the main themes in his work, perhaps it was only a matter of time before the Japanese director would explore the world of sports. While “Tetsuo II: The Body Hammer” already dealt with the body being altered through outside forces, in this case post-industrial culture and modernity’s obsession with physical optimization, Tsukamoto’s next project would go in a different direction. However, keen observers will quickly notice many similarities between this film and “Tokyo Fist” which may not only serve as an extension of these issues, but also as a visual allegory for the fragility of our bodies, and their connection to our spirit.
“Tokyo Fist” is screening at Nippon Connection
Another interesting parallel, which, for example, author Tom Mes points out, is how the story of “Tokyo Fist” mirrors its director’s biography too.
- 5/29/2019
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
One of the most talked-about Japanese cult films of all time makes its way onto blu-ray for the first time Ever with a brand new high definition transfer supervised by Shinya Tsukamoto!
Tokyo Fist is an action, drama, thriller film from 1995 by Japanese director Shinya Tsukamoto. Starting November 25th, Third Window Films will bring you Tokyo Fist on Blu-Ray and remastered DVD with a brand new restoration from the original negatives done by Tsukamoto himself, cardboard slipcase with new illustrated design, a new exclusive interview with the director, clip from original concert and new UK trailer and original theatrical trailer. Besides directing Tokyo Fist, Shinya Tsukamoto also starred in it portraying an insurance salesman Tsuda Yoshiharu.
Synopsis
Tsuda Yoshiharu is an insurance salesman, an archetypal Japanese salary man leading a dull life with his fiancée Hizuru. She is polite and compliant, an ideal Japanese wife. But once Tsuda’s childhood friend Kojima enters their lives,...
Tokyo Fist is an action, drama, thriller film from 1995 by Japanese director Shinya Tsukamoto. Starting November 25th, Third Window Films will bring you Tokyo Fist on Blu-Ray and remastered DVD with a brand new restoration from the original negatives done by Tsukamoto himself, cardboard slipcase with new illustrated design, a new exclusive interview with the director, clip from original concert and new UK trailer and original theatrical trailer. Besides directing Tokyo Fist, Shinya Tsukamoto also starred in it portraying an insurance salesman Tsuda Yoshiharu.
Synopsis
Tsuda Yoshiharu is an insurance salesman, an archetypal Japanese salary man leading a dull life with his fiancée Hizuru. She is polite and compliant, an ideal Japanese wife. But once Tsuda’s childhood friend Kojima enters their lives,...
- 11/4/2013
- by Nermina Kulovic
- AsianMoviePulse
We've already brought you news of Third Window Films upcoming Blu-ray release of Tokyo Fist, but in case you missed it, click here. Well it seems they're at it again. For the first time ever on Blu-ray and remastered DVD, Third Window Films are releasing Shinya Tsukamoto's Bullet Ballet with a brand new restoration from the original negatives done by Tsukamoto himself. You can buy a copy on November 25th on Blu-ray and DVD, and if you order it from the store below you'll be helping to support future Third Window Films productions. Everyone's a winner... Synopsis: Once again Tsukamoto steps out from behind the camera and stars as Tsuda, an archetypal Japanese salaryman. He’s married to polite and compliant Hizuru (Kaori Fujii), the dictionary definition of an ideal Japanese wife. Their life is happy, at least on the surface, at least until Kojima (played by Tsukamoto’s own real life brother,...
- 10/29/2013
- 24framespersecond.net
Perhaps nutritionists should study the Japanese diet to determine what makes their audiences so eager for hyperkineticism and brutal violence.
"Tokyo Fist" is the latest over-the-top effort from Shinya Tsukamoto, the filmmaker who made the equally unsubtle "Tetsuo: Body Hammer", and it presents a romantic triangle as it might have been conceived by Sam Peckinpah on steroids.
Tsukamoto did not delegate much of the work on this film; in addition to scripting and directing, he serves as executive producer, editor, director of photography, art director and star. No doubt he also cooked for the cast and crew.
The film centers on the complications that develop between Tsuda (Tsukamoto), a mild-mannered insurance agent, and his beautiful but aloof fiancee Hizuru (Kahori Fujii) upon the arrival of a high school classmate of Tsuda's, Takuji (Koji Tsukamoto, the filmmaker's brother), a professional boxer. Hizuru develops a strong attraction to the highly physical, charismatic Takuji, which manifests itself in a sudden desire to have various parts of her anatomy pierced. Meanwhile, Tsuda begins an equally masochistic, obsessively rigorous training and boxing program at the gym to help him prepare for a mental and physical showdown with his old friend.
The simple plot is enhanced by highly stylized filmmaking, which in its fetishistic depiction of violence in the ring makes "Raging Bull" look like a Three Stooges short. Tsukamoto has stated that he wants his films to resemble video games, and "Tokyo Fist" fulfills that goal, with a hyperintensity of deafening sound and frenetic camera movement and editing coupled with highly vivid special effects to re-create the blood-soaked brutality that results when fists meet flesh and bone.
Unfortunately, character development and plot coherence -- not to mention subtlety -- are beyond his ken. The film makes a visceral impact -- there are times when the viewer feels as assaulted as the characters -- but it never develops beyond its obvious goal of being a live-action version of popular Japanese anime.
TOKYO FIST
Manga Entertainment
Director-screenwriter-executive producer-director of photography-editor-art director:
Shinya Tsukamoto
Associate producer: Kiyo Joo
Color/stereo
Cast:
Tsuda: Shinya Tsukamoto
Hizuru: Kahori Fujii
Takuji: Koji Tsukamoto
Ohizumi: Naoto Takenaka
Running time -- 90 minutes
No MPAA rating...
"Tokyo Fist" is the latest over-the-top effort from Shinya Tsukamoto, the filmmaker who made the equally unsubtle "Tetsuo: Body Hammer", and it presents a romantic triangle as it might have been conceived by Sam Peckinpah on steroids.
Tsukamoto did not delegate much of the work on this film; in addition to scripting and directing, he serves as executive producer, editor, director of photography, art director and star. No doubt he also cooked for the cast and crew.
The film centers on the complications that develop between Tsuda (Tsukamoto), a mild-mannered insurance agent, and his beautiful but aloof fiancee Hizuru (Kahori Fujii) upon the arrival of a high school classmate of Tsuda's, Takuji (Koji Tsukamoto, the filmmaker's brother), a professional boxer. Hizuru develops a strong attraction to the highly physical, charismatic Takuji, which manifests itself in a sudden desire to have various parts of her anatomy pierced. Meanwhile, Tsuda begins an equally masochistic, obsessively rigorous training and boxing program at the gym to help him prepare for a mental and physical showdown with his old friend.
The simple plot is enhanced by highly stylized filmmaking, which in its fetishistic depiction of violence in the ring makes "Raging Bull" look like a Three Stooges short. Tsukamoto has stated that he wants his films to resemble video games, and "Tokyo Fist" fulfills that goal, with a hyperintensity of deafening sound and frenetic camera movement and editing coupled with highly vivid special effects to re-create the blood-soaked brutality that results when fists meet flesh and bone.
Unfortunately, character development and plot coherence -- not to mention subtlety -- are beyond his ken. The film makes a visceral impact -- there are times when the viewer feels as assaulted as the characters -- but it never develops beyond its obvious goal of being a live-action version of popular Japanese anime.
TOKYO FIST
Manga Entertainment
Director-screenwriter-executive producer-director of photography-editor-art director:
Shinya Tsukamoto
Associate producer: Kiyo Joo
Color/stereo
Cast:
Tsuda: Shinya Tsukamoto
Hizuru: Kahori Fujii
Takuji: Koji Tsukamoto
Ohizumi: Naoto Takenaka
Running time -- 90 minutes
No MPAA rating...
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