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Nine Souls Japan
'a masterful work of pure kinetic energy, surreal imagery, raucous humour, eccentric characters and a driving guitar score' [director] Toyoda Toshiaki displays a unique and unforgettable vision that marks him as a major filmmaking talent.' -Philadelphia Film Festival
In an isolated prison, nine inmates make a break through a hole in the floor. Stealing a van, the assorted losers, psychos, professional criminals, over-the-edge-businessmen and a dwarf flee to a school near Mount Fuji, where a stash of money has their names on it. As the men travel towards their destination with equal anticipation and dread, their colourful memories are vividly brought to life. When they arrive to pick up the loot, they are shocked to discover only an enigmatic glass key.
Masterfully taking us on journey into the minds of these nine damaged men, director Toyoda Toshiaki, who wowed MIFF audiences in 2002 with Blue Spring, his spiky tale of high-school anarchy, has produced a striking and invigorating film.
'I've wanted to make a prison-break movie ever since I became involved in the film business. It's a way of escaping my own blocked feelings, society and myself.' -Toyoda Toshiaki
D/S Toyoda Toshiaki P Kikuchi Miyoshi, Konishi Keisuke WS Gold View Co Ltd L Japanese w/English subtitles TD 35mm/Col/2003/120mins
Toyoda Toshiaki was born in Osaka, Japan in 1969. Films include: Pornostar (1998), Unchain (2000), Blue Spring (MIFF 2002).