Bullet Ballet

CLASSICS: Rediscoveries & Restorations

35mm Presentation

Q&A with director Shinya Tsukamoto

In this stylish black-and-white thriller written, directed, produced, edited, shot by and starring Shinya Tsukamoto, a commercial director (Tsukamoto) becomes obsessed with acquiring a gun after his longtime girlfriend suddenly kills herself with one. Stalking Tokyo’s back alleys in his all-consuming pursuit, he antagonizes local street gangs and pursues violence with nihilistic abandon. Presented on 35mm and hand-picked by Tsukamoto to accompany the JAPAN CUTS premiere of his latest film Killing, this late ’90s Japanese cinema classic bears further testament to the integrity and brilliance of the filmmaker’s uncompromising vision since he debuted the game-changing Tetsuo: The Iron Man thirty years ago.

1998. 87 min. 35mm. Directed by Shinya Tsukamoto. With Shinya Tsukamoto, Hisashi Igawa, Sujin Kim, Kirina Mano.

This film is unrated, but is not recommended for persons younger than 12 years of age without parental guidance due to mature content.