GET UP

Get Up (Gerropa!) Japan

A Japanese yakuza comedy with soul! The soul of James Brown, that is.

Ageing mob boss Habara has two days of freedom left before being sent off for a five-year stretch in prison. As the days count down to his incarceration, Habara realises he will never fulfil his two main wishes: to see his estranged daughter, Kaori, who vanished 25 years ago with his ex-wife, and to witness his idol, 'Godfather of Soul' James Brown, strut his stuff in concert. Habara's ever loyal, but bumbling, friends decide on a plan''Kidnap James Brown!' With Kaori managing a troupe of celebrity impersonators, including a James Brown lookalike, it is only a matter of time before she crosses paths with the yakuza, and, who knows, maybe her father.

A hit at the Pusan Film Festival, this hilarious film from the director Izutsu Kazuyuki is bursting with energy, shot through with plenty of funk and a whole lot of soul.

D Izutsu Kazuyuki P Lee Bong-ou S Izutsu Kazuyuki, Habara Daisuke WS Cine Qua Non L Japanese w/English subtitles TD 35mm/Col/2003/112mins

Izutsu Kazuyuki was born in Japan in 1952. Films include: Sikijou Mesu Gari (1981), Miyuki (1984), Nodo Jiman (1999).