Date: 2020 June 10 18:52
Posted by Joe
UK fans of Japanese Cinema will be exited to hear about the BFI's release of the Takeshi Kitano Collection. Containing Violent Cop, Boiling Point and Sonatine these three films will be released on Blu-ray for the first time in the UK.
Due out on as a blu-ray release on 29 June 2020, then 27 July 2020 on iTunes, Amazon Prime and on BFI Player. The collection is packed full of extras, but you should note, only the first pressing contains the 44-page book with new writing on the films and their director by Japanese film experts.
Also known as Beat Takeshi, the director, writer, comedian TV presenter and actor burst into Japanese cinema with his 1989 film Violent Cop. If you've seen the live action Ghost in the Shell Movie, you'll remember him as Aramaki.
You can pre-order the collection now from Amazon.co.uk or from the BFI Shop Online.
Full Story
Press release as follows:
Takeshi Kitano Collection
Violent Cop
Boiling Point
Sonatine
See Sonatine (1993) clip: https://youtu.be/nFJ1YewFjSM
Blu-ray release on 29 June 2020 followed by release on 27 July 2020 on iTunes, Amazon Prime and on BFI Player (Subscription) as part of JAPAN 2020.
Takeshi Kitano burst onto the scene as a director in 1989 with Violent Cop and quickly established himself as a filmmaker to watch. He continued within the yakuza genre with 1990's Boiling Point and with Sonatine, released three years later, he gained deserved international acclaim. As part of the BFI's major season JAPAN2020, these three films will be released on Blu-ray for the first time in the UK in the Takeshi Kitano Collection on 29 June 2020 followed by digital release on 27 July 2020. Numerous extras include commentaries for each film, a documentary looking at Kitano's cinematic image and more.
Born in Japan in 1947, Takeshi Kitano is a comedian, television presenter, author, actor and filmmaker who has become a cultural icon both in his own country and abroad. He is predominately known in the West for his work as an actor and director on films including Battle Royale, Zatoichi and Hana-bi, the last of which won the Golden Lion at the Venice International Film Festival.
More often known by his stage name 'Beat' Takeshi, Kitano has been described as the true successor to legendary director Akira Kurosawa, and it's hard to imagine greater praise than that.
Special features
High Definition transfers of all three films
Feature-length audio commentaries on Violent Cop and Sonatine by Chris D, punk poet, singer, actor, film historian and author of Outlaw Masters of Japanese Film
Newly recorded audio commentary on Boiling Point by David Jenkins
That Man is Dangerous: The Birth of Takeshi Kitano (2016, 20 mins): documentary examining the emergence, establishment and popularity of Takeshi Kitano's cinematic image
Okinawa Days: Kitano's Second Debut (2016, 20 mins): a look back at Kitano's Boiling Point, featuring interviews with producer Masayuki Mori and actor Yurei Yanagi
Violent Cop trailer
Boiling Point trailers
Sonatine trailer
*** First pressing only*** 44-page book with new writing on the films and their director by Japanese film experts Tom Mes, Jasper Sharp, Mark Schilling and film critic James-Masaki Ryan
Product details
RRP: £39.99 / Cat. no. BFIB1384/ 18
Japan / 1989-1993 / colour / 294 mins / Japanese language, with English subtitles / original aspect ratios 1.85:1 // BD50 x 3: 1080p, 24fps / Violent Cop (PCM 2.0 mono audio, 48kHz/24-bit) / Boiling Point (PCM 2.0 mono audio, 48kHz/24-bit) Sonatine (PCM 2.0 stereo audio, 48kHz/24-bit)
BFI DVD/Blu-ray releases can be ordered from home entertainment online retailers or from the BFI Shop (online only) at https://shop.bfi.org.uk/.
About the BFI
The BFI is the UK's lead organisation for film, television and the moving image. It is a cultural charity that:
Curates and presents the greatest international public programme of World Cinema for audiences; in cinemas, at festivals and online
Cares for the BFI National Archive - the most significant film and television archive in the world
Actively seeks out and supports the next generation of filmmakers
Works with Government and industry to make the UK the most creatively exciting and prosperous place to make film internationally
Founded in 1933, the BFI is a registered charity governed by Royal Charter. The BFI Board of Governors is chaired by Josh Berger CBE.