Burst city.
Rival biker gangs in a run down dystopian Tokyo war with each other and the cops over a proposed nuclear power plant. The plot is interspersed with live music from various Japanese punk bands.
If the plot sounds sparse, well it is. Burst City, while being a punk rock sci-fi musical is more of a time capsule of its era as well as showing where Japanese cinema would be headed from the 90's onward. Directed by Sogo Ishii in 1982 its full of scenes that feel inspired by the cult B movies Japan would turn out through the 70's while being trans-formative and feeling like something new. The director was friends with most of the bands and the anarchic, grainy footage shot live at actual gigs feels very raw and in keeping with the surprisingly subversive plotline. Its influence on directors like Shinya Tsukamoto and Takeshi Miike is evident from the get go as well.
Wild zero
Another Japanese punk rock epic. This one shot 17 years after Burst city. Ace is a young punk and fan of Guitar wolf. After assisting them against a crooked venue manager and drug pusher he's made their blood brother and given a whistle to call the band if he ever finds himself in trouble. On the road home Ace inadvertently thwarts a gas station robbery and falls for the girl working as an attendants. Things get complicated when a zombie plague hits the town, fortunately Guitar wolf are on hand when things get rough.
A fun film to double bill with Burst city. Wild Zero is knowingly self aware of how crazy it is and embraces it fully. Its completely nuts, hilarious and gore soaked. Highly recommended.
 |