Kamui

This will be the first period, action film from director SAI Yoichi, known mostly for contemporary dramas including the Kitano Takeshi starring Blood and Bones. It is an adaptation of the comic "Kamui Gaiden" or "Legend of Kamui" (don't ask me why the film title is just 'Kamui') by SHIRATO Sampei. Some of you might be familiar with the anime, Dagger of Kamui produced in the 80s. Though there have been various iterations of Kamui's legend, including a 1960s anime series, so it will be interesting to see how much of the story from the manga will be retained in this live-action version. The main thrust of the story is a ninja being hunted by the members of the clan he abandons, an action punishable by death. Constantly pursued, Kamui refuses to build relations with anyone because of the fleeting nature and inherent danger any such relationship would be subjected to. It is a tale of survival, but ultimately, also one of tragedy as over the course of time, Kamui becomes paranoid that everyone around him is a killer. Perhaps it is this dramatic thread which attracted SAI Yoichi to the project.

source: Nippon Cinema

The above trailer sells the film as "action-entertainment." Naturally, you would expect that from a film about ninjas. For a time in the late 80s, there was a significant boom in Ninja films thanks to films starring Kosugi Sho. That genre has almost been forgotten, but recently, there seems to be renewed interest in "shinobi" stories though westerners might be puzzled as to the lack of black-clad masked men in popular manga/anime "Naruto" and films such as Shinobi: Heart Under Blade or this film for that matter. Then again, no one in the original "Kamui Gaiden" manga wore the signature outfit either. Perhaps this is how ninja truly were.

Also of note is the difference between this film and the previously mentioned Goemon. One can see the what actual sets and scenery contribute to the overall feel of the film and how CG-enhanced action is much preferable to CG-generated action. The actors are there, in the moment, taking in their surroundings and letting it shape their performances and reactions. Extraordinary people and action set in ordinary, familiar surroundings seem much more extraorinary whereas, extraordinary people in extraordinary settings just seem "normal." I think that will be a key difference between Goemon and Kamui...at least to this blogger. The film is slated for a Fall 2009 release.