Fantastic Fest 2008

Brief Summary
The privatized Tokyo police force led by Audition‘s Eihi Shiina is authorized to execute judgment on the spot. They are threatened, however, by a breed of “engineers,” genetically modified super-villains who grow mutant weapons from their injuries and amputations.

Full Description
Given the amount of coverage that TOKYO GORE POLICE gets on Twitch, it is easy to forget that the film has not been released on DVD and has only screened a few times in the United States. TOKYO GORE POLICE deserves the attention its been getting because it is a great riff on films such as ROBOCOP but with a unique Japanese flavor.

In a future version of Japan, a private company takes over policing functions throughout the country. A special squad known as the Tokyo Gore Police is tasked with handling a breed of mutants ("engineers") who can turn wounds into weapons. Ruka (played by Eihi Shiina) is the star of the squad. She is tormented by the assassination of her father, an officer who spoke out against the privatization of the police. Ruka eventually finds the assassin, and learns the secrets behind both her father's death and the police force to which she has devoted her life.

This back story can easily be ignored as the attraction of TOKYO GORE POLICE lies in its over-the-top action and insane visual effects. Nishimura was not working with a big budget but the choices in set design and effects are very resourceful. The film throws everything at the screen, including blood spraying from dismembered torsos in slow-motion, exotic weapons sprouting from injured body parts, and bondage-garbed quadriplegics walking on swords. The ROBOCOP influence is apparent throughout, particularly in a series of tongue-in-cheek television ads for products that make it easier to commit suicide. Tak Sakaguchi, star of VERSUS and AZUMI, choreographed the fight sequences. (Rodney Perkins)

Director Yoshihiro Nishimura will be in attendance to introduce the shows and answer questions after the screenings. We have also purchased special Japanese language karaoke tracks for Monday night...

This screening is sponsored in part by Media Blasters.