Fantastic Fest 2009

A truly bizarre spoof on the Olympics that only the Japanese could concoct. ONLYPIC 2008 sprints out of the gate with a surreal opening ceremony featuring robot battles, motorized sushi floats and a ginormous golden Buddha head whose laser vision destroys vast swaths of audience members. Bizarro Japanese comedian and long-time Monkey Bash regular Egashira 2:50 also pops into the opening ceremony with a signature convulsing dance number. Egashira 2:50 was named "the most annoying comedian in Japan" 2002-2008 and has been arrested in several countries for repeatedly dropping his pants.

In 2006 animator Richiro Mashima's SKI JUMPING PAIRS: ROAD TO TORINO 2006 gave just a sample of the absurdity that lays in store for you with TOKYO ONLYPIC 2008. Bringing in an group of his filmaking and animating buddies to riff on the them of absurdist sporting events, Mashima and the ONLYPIC team has crafted such events as Mother Tossing, a Brancer competition (the obscure port of kicking one's shoe off while swinging on a swingset), the 1000 Character Texting competition, and the Samurai Call, this battle of the nations would destroy the ratings of the actual Olympics were it ever to come to pass. Ironically, the creators are actually trying to rally support for just such a competition.

Here at Fantastic Fest HQ, we are going to take the first step by recruiting athletes to perform in the first ever North American Samurai Call Championships. It’s really hard to describe the rules, there aren’t any as such, but screaming the word Samurai with gusto and flair definitely comes into play. Watch the video clip from TOKYO ONLYPIC on the Fantastic Fest website for a sample of American champion Samurai Caller David Joe and hopefully you will be inspired to sign up for the competition on September 25. We’ll be featuring up to 10 Samurai Call competitors at the end of the “Meet the Japanese” party on Friday night at the Highball. (Tim League)