It has been revealed that the drama series "W I, KILL" (WOWOW, Sundays at 10pm), starring actress Fumino Kimura and Juri Tanaka of the popular group SixTONES, has been officially invited to the 29th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival, which will be held in Bucheon, South Korea from July 3rd.
With an eye on overseas markets, this is a collaboration between cutting-edge creators and the top-class staff of the traditional Shochiku Kyoto Studio, creating a "historical spectacle x full-scale survival thriller from Kyoto." The story is set 35 years after the Battle of Sekigahara, and as monsters known as "Gunkyo" attack people, Kimura plays the role of Orin, a former ninja who confronts the monsters, while Tanaka plays the role of Shiro, a mysterious man who has become a Gunkyo while still maintaining his human consciousness.
The Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival, which began in 1997, is one of the largest film festivals in Asia, bringing together highly entertaining works from around the world. Nicknamed BIFAN, it is one of Asia's leading film festivals, screening a wide variety of unique works, including suspense, thriller, animation, and fantasy. This year, episodes one and two of "I, KILL" will be screened as a special feature in the Screen Section. It is said that it is rare for a Japanese drama to be officially screened at the festival.
In addition, the spin-off "I, KILL VR," which was produced as a technical trial, was also officially invited to the festival's XR category, "Beyond Reality."
◇Comment from Fumino Kimura
--About the decision to officially screen the film at the film festival
First of all, I want to say "We did it!" to everyone at the Kyoto film studio. My lovely staff worked late into the night and into the early hours of the morning, pondering and thinking about ideas, and repeatedly going through trial and error to create something from scratch. The thoughts of everyone there, who worked with the spirit of "one for all" to deliver Japan's sincerity to the world, have been appreciated in Korea, a country where I personally feel has a deep love for zombies, and it's the best present I could have ever received.
--A message to viewers as the story approaches its climax
As long as humans are born from humans, there will always be ties and karma, love and hate. How will you all resolve this? And at the very end, proof that this is a work of history and of the times awaits. After you've finished watching it, you'll be left wondering if there's a sequel...!! I promise that it will stir up new imaginations.
◇Comment from Juri Tanaka
--About the decision to officially screen the film at the film festival
When I was making this film, I was working desperately under a tight schedule, so I was serious about it without thinking about the consequences. However, when I saw the finished product, I truly felt that it was a film that should be seen by as many people as possible. So I am truly happy to have been given this opportunity. I hope you will enjoy the fusion of Japan's beautiful scenery and a survival thriller that is garnering worldwide attention.
--A message to viewers as the story approaches its climax
Thank you for enjoying "I, KILL" so far. The story will accelerate from here on out. This work runs nonstop until the final shocking development, so I hope you will enjoy it to the last second.
◇Comment from Director Young Paul
--About the decision to officially screen the film at the film festival
Now, it is the world's largest exporter of zombies (or rather, exporter of zombie works), and it was unexpectedly screened at the historic Fanta Film Festival in Bucheon, South Korea. I am happy, proud, nervous, and excited that "I, KILL" will be screened... but no, I am simply happy! Happy! Well done to everyone involved. The evil that was born in Kyoto has crossed the sea. As a director, I am very interested in how Japanese zombies will be received in the source of Korean zombies.
--A message to viewers as the story approaches its climax
I can confidently say that this is the kind of emotion you'll feel when watching a zombie drama. I'm sure those who have watched up to this point will understand that this is not just a scary and gory drama, but a drama that depicts what lies beyond that. Big decisions and destinies await each person. I hope you will watch each person's "life" until the end.
◇Comment from Masaki Yamada (Chief Producer, WOWOW Content Production Division Drama Production Department)
--About the decision to officially screen the film at the film festival
This time, WOWOW, Shochiku and Shochiku Kyoto Studio have teamed up to take on the challenge of creating a new original drama series from Japan. This work combines the traditional Kyoto "period drama" with the international "survival thriller" genre, and is the result of an overwhelming collaboration between Tokyo creators including Director Young Paul and the period drama artisan staff. Now it's time for the home of K-zombie, Korea, to watch it, and we're very excited to see what kind of chemical reaction will occur beyond that. We are truly grateful that it will be screened at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, Asia's leading genre film festival.
Comment from Hirono Okamura (Producer, Television Planning Office, Video Planning Department, Shochiku)
--About the decision to officially screen the film at the film festival
"I,KILL" was produced in Kyoto, the ancient capital that represents the beauty of Japan, with the intention of being shown to people from all over the world. I am very happy that it will be screened at the Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival, one of Asia's leading genre film festivals. I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the selection of our film.
The theme of the film is simply "to live." It is a challenging work that fuses the difficulty of "living," which has remained unchanged since ancient times, with Japanese period dramas and zombies. It is also a family story that depicts the bonds between people. I sincerely hope that this film will spread from Bucheon and be seen by people all over the world.
