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Project Detail

We Are X

Synopsis

The music never had to be explained. For childhood friends Yoshiki and Toshl, forming their band X in 1982 was a way of living through music. Soon they were selling out international stadiums by perfecting their own style of amps-to-11 glam rock dubbed “psychedelic violence crime of visual shock” (imagine Iron Maiden with a David Bowie spirit animal) and connecting with millions of fans.
Their journey to play Madison Square Garden amidst a Beatlemania-shaped maelstrom is expertly captured by director Stephen Kijak and editors Mako Kamitsuna and John Maringouin, who dismantle the kitsch and dig into the cult of personality to reveal a story of misfortune and tragedy that has shadowed the band time and again. Just as it is for their fans, music becomes a lifeblood for X Japan, as they are forced to reinvent and regroup in order to survive. Cameos by artistic giants including Marilyn Manson and David Lynch mark some memorable moments in this roller-coaster musical experience. (Sundance Film Festival brochure)
Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2016 - Sonic Strand

Details

Year
2016
Type of film
Features
Running time
95 mins
Director
Stephen Kijak
Producer
John Battsek, Diane Becker
Editor
Mako Kamitsuna, John Maringouin
Director of Photography
Sean Kirby, John Maringouin
Music
Yoshiki
Principal cast
Yoshiki, Toshl, Pata, Hiroshi Morie, Sugizo

Genre

Music Dance

Categories

Documentary

Production Status

Complete

Production Company

US, UK coproduction

Passion Pictures

County House
33-34 Rathbone Place
London
W1T 1JN

Sales Company

Mongrel International

1352 Dundas Street West
Toronto, ON
M6J 1Y2
Canada

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