pictures dept.

(c) 2011 Karate-Robo Zaborgar Film Partners

Don’t take it seriously. A real tokusatsu (special-effects film)
which focuses on the fun of ridiculous effects.
The hero with his racing engine that can take on all kinds of
robotic forms fights against even more ridiculous robot monsters.
Once a cult TV series.—from IFFR official catalogue 2011
I read in the news that the world premiere showing of director
Noboru Iguchi’s KARATE-ROBO ZABORGER was livened up
by his on-stage antics.   He appeared on stage wearing
only a sumo style loincloth, and engaged in a performance
of the bean-throwing ceremony, which is the traditional
Japanese event known as “Setsubun”.
About Director Noboru Iguchi
Director Noboru Iguchi is a cult figure in Europe and New York.
He is the secret weapon of Otona-keikaku
(pure translation is “Adult Plan”, 
 popular theater performing group headed by Kankuro Kudo).
He makes films like….
A beautiful girl, who is in fact a mutant bred to fight, and….
an Ancient Dogoo girl who arrives in modern times to help a bumpkin,
and…
the story of a fighting Geisha Robot girl,
and…
the story of a girl with a machine gun arm,
and so on.   These films have won great popularity.
Anyway, he is an extraordinary director,
who is making films for the overseas market mostly under
SUSHI TYPHOON label from Nikkatsu.
I thinkm he is an unusual director, with an inner fortitude,
that has garnered him regular fans – afficianados of his world.
At the moment it is not a stretch of the truth to say that
both Takeshi Kitano and Mr Iguchi are the only Japanese directors
who have a large fan-base throughout the world.
Kitano is artistic and Iguchi is fantastic.
They are both extremes, but on closer examination their world view
might be getting closer as “quantity” changes into “quality”.
By the way, director Iguchi’s fantastic relates to
the fantasy, horror and psychological film festivals and
fans of these sort of films.
There are many festivals throughout the world
catering for these sort of films,
so I imagine that director Iguchi is always
on tour overseas to meet with his fans.
I do not think it is too much to say that
the Japanese are now proud to be called a “freak culture”.
However, the fans of “fantastic” films are fussy
about what is their favourite films, their likes and dislikes,
and of course, the market for such films is small.
His website proclaims in its title:
“I am sure only boys will see my film,
 so I challenge the girls to come as well!”
His films are taking a firm hold on a specific strata for film fans.
It is great point in his favour, and assures that a lot of people are
looking forward to his next film.
I just wonder why Japanese theatrical release is not yet fixed?!?!
Because industry people don’t take this seriously? LOL !!
 
Next, I’ll talk about this traditional a sumo style loincloth.