Shigemichi Sugita

Shigemichi Sugita

Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on October 2010 Samurai films are making something of a comeback in Japan—and the trend is sweeping abroad as well. Recently, the director and two stars of the Warner Bros-produced Saigo no Chushingura (titled The Last Ronin for its US release) attended a preview screening in LA. According to local media, […]

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Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on October 2010

WARNER BROS

Samurai films are making something of a comeback in Japan—and the trend is sweeping abroad as well. Recently, the director and two stars of the Warner Bros-produced Saigo no Chushingura (titled The Last Ronin for its US release) attended a preview screening in LA. According to local media, director Shigemichi Sugita (Last Song), 67, and stars Koji Yakusho (Babel), 54, and Nanami Sakuraba (Summer Wars), 17, received a standing ovation from the audience of 500 industry professionals, including Warner Bros CEO Barry Meyer. Saigo no Chushingura, based on the oft-told tale of the 47 ronin, opens in Japan on December 18. Meanwhile, other samurai films that have opened or will open before year-end include Takashi Miike’s 13 Assassins, The Lady Shogun and Her Men, Abacus and Sword and Sakuradamon-gai no Hen.