Director Miyano Keiji (The Total Number of 3000 Juvenile Delinquents, Moon Dream) may be a name known to a small amount of people; As it stands I’ve only just learned of the name this past weekend, and with the latest trailer online for the new film, Yaru Onna: She’s A Killer, I couldn’t be more happier.
Right off the bat you’re plunged into a narrative that feels very organic and nostalgic on its face with actress Kang Ji-Young (Assassination Classroom 1 and 2) front and center in the role of Aiko; All grown up and years after the murder of her parents, Aiko, simply put is on a mission to avenge their deaths, except a twist looms before she can claim her prize.
The film premiered for the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Fest earlier this summer with trailers making a case for its showing by then. Nakazawa Masayuki’s cinematography is plush with tragic, cerebral, noir fervor that enhances the tone and cinematic authenticity we get to sample thusfar outside festival circles, and it’s an absolute shame that this kind of work doesn’t catch on as fast and far as it should.
At any rate though, and with its release set for Japanese cinemas on October 27, here’s to doing my part. Actress Takeda Rina, upcoming Falling Camellia co-star Suruga Taro and transgender recording artist, actor Jake Zyrus who delivers his signature vocals on the soundtrack, also star.