masumi

THE SWORD AND THE SONGSTRESS: A Word With ‘Yakuza Princess’ Star, MASUMI

Upon finally seeing Vicente Amorim’s latest, Yakuza Princess, I was blown away by how adept actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers was in his role. It certainly wasn’t without its flaws, but it still delivers the kind of thriller aimed especially at the swordplay and graphic novel crowd. It’s also interesting that a film like this is how actress and recording artist, MASUMI, would choose to make her entry. I managed to share an interview Q&A via email just as the film made its run this past month during the hybridized 25th Fantasia International Film Festival, and you’re welcome to check out MASUMI’s story in the chat below, along with our review of Yakuza Princess by clicking here ahead of the film’s release this Friday from Magnet Releasing. MASUMI, it’s an honor and a privilege to communicate with you. How has 2021 been for you so far? Aw, thank you and same […]

Fantasia XXV Review: Vicente Amorim’s YAKUZA PRINCESS, Blemished, Albeit Gratuitous, R-Rated Revenge Actioner Thrills

Lee B. Golden III

Those who joined the procession of fandom following Vicente Amorim’s string of TV and film directing gigs in the last decade, including features Dirty Hands, The Division and Motorrad may also take comfort in his latest stint at graphic novel lore. Enter Yakuza Princess, taken from the pages of Danilo Beyruth’s “Samurai Shiro” and casting none other than recording artist and actress, MASUMI, in her screen debut. The film also stars Jonathan Rhys Meyers who takes the mantle for a key character of the comic, and to his credit, displays a kind of physicality that’s nary been seen in his films. Paired together on screen, he and our lead actress present a strong show of force that shines just a few times as our protagonists – less so for the sake of the film’s story where things get just a little more complex, before eventually coming full circle somewhat and […]

YAKUZA PRINCESS: MASUMI Slays In The Official Trailer From Magnet Releasing

Lee B. Golden III

IGN just published the official trailer for Motorrad helmer Vicente Amorim’s upcoming Fantasia-selected thriller, Yakuza Princess, which you can check out above. Based on Danilo Beyruth’s graphic novel and slated for a September 3 theatrical, digital and on-demand release from Magnet releasing, the film marks the screen debut of actress and recording artist MASUMI, with Jonathan Rhys-Meyers and Tsuyoshi Ihara also starring. Set in the expansive Japanese community of Sao Paulo in Brazil — the largest Japanese diaspora in the world — YAKUZA PRINCESS follows Akemi (MASUMI), an orphan who discovers she is the heiress to half of the Yakuza crime syndicate. Forging an uneasy alliance with an amnesiac stranger (Rhys Meyers) who believes an ancient sword binds their two fates, Akemi must unleash war against the other half of the syndicate who wants her dead. I actually just screened this film for Fantasia and won’t go into specifics since […]

YAKUZA PRINCESS Cuts In A Late 2021 U.S. Release From Magnet Releasing

Lee B. Golden III

Magnolia Pictures’ Magnet Releasing will rollout Motorrad helmer Vicente Amorim’s Yakuza Princess later this year. Magnolia EVP Dori Begley and Magnolia SVP of Acquisitions John Von Thaden negotiated the deal with Pip Ngo from XYZ Films who acquired international sales rights on the action thriller back in February. Twenty-one-year-old orphan Akemi learns she is the heiress to half of the Yakuza empire, and that the other half wants her dead. Her survival is dependent on a foreigner who suffers from amnesia, who believes that an ancient sword ties their two fates together. Yakuza Princess is based on Danilo Beyruth’s graphic novel “Samurai Shiro”, and stars newcomer, Japanese-American actress and singer Masumi in the title role. She stars along with Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Tsuyoshi Ihara and Kenny Leu, from a script co-penned with Fernando Toste, Kimi Lee and Tubaldini Shelling, the latter who is producing the film next to Andre Skaf, Filmland […]

YAKUZA PRINCESS Acquired By XYZ Films Ahead Of EFM 2021

Lee B. Golden III

Motorrad director Vicente Amorim’s new English-language actioner, Yakuza Princess, will be sold internationally at this year’s virtual European Film Market according to an exclusive at Variety. XYZ Films has acquired worldwide sales rights apart from Latin America on the pic which stars actor Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, with newcomer, Japanese-American singer and songwriter Masumi in the title role. Based on the graphic novel “Samurai Shiro” by Danilo Beyruth and set in the expansive Japanese community of Sao Paulo in Brazil — the largest Japanese diaspora in the world — “Yakuza Princess” turns on orphan Akemi (Masumi), who turns 21 and finds out she is the heiress to half of the Yakuza (Japanese crime syndicate) empire. The other half, however, wants her dead, and her one hope is an amnesiac gaijin (foreigner, played by Rhys Meyers) who awakes in hospital believing that an ancient sword ties their two fates together. The film also […]

YAKUZA PRINCESS Bows Online With A First Look

Lee B. Golden III

Variety revealed the first look at newcomer, actress and recording artist Masumi with actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers in Motorrad director Vicente Amorim’s new thriller, Yakuza Princess. The film hails from Filmland Internaccional and wrapped principal photography last month after filming throughout Brazil, including São Paolo and in Paranapiacaba. In Yakuza Princess, Masumi plays an orphan raised in São Paulo only to learn about her true origins when her late yakuza boss father’s bodyguards track her down. Danilo Beyruth, who provided concept art for Amorim’s previous Toronto International Film Festival outing, Motorrad, authors the original comic book on which the film is based. ”’Yakuza Princess’ is an action-packed Brazilian/Japanese/American-thriller. At the same time, it’s also a film about solitude, identity and about coming-of-age in Brazil’s biggest metropolis. It’s an adventure with samurais, ronins and a fearless heroine. Fearless as we filmmakers were when facing this challenge. A challenge up there with […]

YAKUZA PRINCESS: Newcomer Masumi To Star In ‘Motorrad’ Director’s New Action Thriller

Lee B. Golden III

Director Vicente Amorim is continuing onward nowadays with his latest female empowerment venture, Yakuza Princess. The Brazilian director is lending his craft to the versatile talents of newcomer, Masumi, following the film’s announcement last summer. In Yakuza Princess, Masumi plays an orphan raised in São Paulo only to learn about her true origins when her late yakuza boss father’s bodyguards track her down. Danilo Beyruth, who provided concept art for Amorim’s previous Toronto International Film Festival outing, Motorrad, authors the original comic book on which the film is based. Masumi stars from a script by Amorim, re-teaming him with Fernando Toste and Motorrad producer L.G. Tubaldini Jr. who co-writes; Tubaldini Jr. also produces with André Skaf for Filmland International. Further casting details are under wraps. Amorim is recipient to a number of nominations and wins on projects like 2003 Brazilian drama, The Middle Of The World and Viggo Mortensen-led 2008 […]