13 Assassins

Focus on Koji Yakusho
Introduction with actor Koji Yakusho

Miike Takashi took on his first period swordplay epic with 13 Assassins, the remake of the 1963 Eiichi Kudo film of the same name. Working with a bigger budget and a star-studded cast, he delivers entertaining swordplay thrills that earned cheers from audiences all over the world and four grand prizes at the Japan Academy Awards. In a time of peace, the shogun’s sadistic brother Naritsugu (SMAP’s Inagaki Goro) goes on a killing spree. Riled by his lord’s cruelty, Naritsugu’s head samurai Shinzaemon (Koji Yakusho) assembles a band of samurai to assassinate the lord on his trip home. Despite being outnumbered by Naritsugu’s bodyguards–led by Hanbei (Ichimura Masachika), the band of heroic samurai have assembled an intricate plan that will lead to the greatest battle of their lives.

Japan. 2010. 141 min. 35mm, in Japanese with English subtitles. Directed by Takashi Miike. With Koji Yakusho, Takayuki Yamada, Yusuke Iseya, Goro Inagaki. Masachika Ichimura, Mikijirō Hira.

18+ This film is unrated, but may only be viewed by persons 18 years of age or older.

Part of JAPAN CUTS 2012

Part of Focus on Koji Yakusho

TICKETS
$12/$9 Japan Society members, seniors and students

Buy Tickets Online or call the Japan Society Box Office at (212) 715-1258, Mon. – Fri. 11 am – 6 pm, Weekends 11 am – 5 pm.