While you may not know Naoto Takenaka by name, believe me when I say that if you're any kind of fan of Japanese cult film then you know the popular comedian'ss face. Takenaka has played key roles in a string of popular films ranging from Ping Pong to Azumi to Swing Girls to The Great Yokai War. And now Takenaka is stepping behind the camera to create Yamagata Scream, his latest directorial effort.
The story is set in a village in the Yamagata prefecture, inspired by tales of the ochimusha of the Taira clan. The ochimusha were warriors who, after being defeated in battle, fled to remote areas of Japan and established small towns to live in. In the film, a businessman and a high school girl arrive in the village and accidentally unearth one of the Taira graves, awakening the zombies of the ochimusha. Takenaka will play the “zombie general.”
The first teaser for the film has just arrived on the freshly redesigned website and while it's such a tease that includes a grand total of zero zombies it does a fantastic job of showcasing the look of the thing as well as Takenaka's quirky sense of humor. Check it below the break!
Not to promote the advertiser, but this post showed up with a funny context in my feed reader.
In fact not really his "directorial debut", but his sixth long feature as a director ;-)
That was just brilliant. "Horror location!"
This guy is brilliant ... and indeed about bloody time I start to know his name ... Naoto Takenaka ... Naoto Takenaka ... Naoto Takenaka ...
Naoto Takenaka is fucking brilliant.
He can handle every genre as an actor. Though I like his movies as director more.
Loved the teaser.
Don't forget his standout role in Shall We Dance! This looks like it could be really funny.
He is quite cherished here in Japan and rightly so!
Cannot wait for this one. WaterBoys is one I recommend for those yet to catch on to him.