This is a film for cinephiles made by a cinephile. Inspired by Kenji Misumi story and a series of films by shown on Japanese television between 1962 and 1989 which celebrated the adventures of the eponymous blind samurai, Zatoichi, directed by the inimitable Takeshi Kitano, is a singular interpretation of the period film. In fact, it is Kitanos first historical film. Set in 19th century Japan, the framework of the story is traditional. Our hero- a masseur and extraordinary swordsman masseur- helps two orphaned geishas avenge the murder of their family by the Ginza gang. With a nod towards Kurosawa, Zaitochi is, however, a thoroughly post-modern and- ultimately- profoundly eccentric affair. Our samurai icon- played by Takeshi- is a silent cool customer with peroxide hair. The violence of the film is bloody, outlandish and hilarious. The sound effects are comic and original. Amusingly, Zatoichi also celebrates gender-bending. One of the geishas is actually a man and is content to stay a woman. The highlight of the film, however is the hilarious happy ending. It is an exhilarating tap-dancing routine to Japanese drums. Using even CGI, the sequence is a mad and innovative fusion of sound and image. Nimbly playing with conventions, mixing classical and popular Japanese myths with Western gags and styles, Kitano has made, with Zatoichi, a spiritedly inventive and entertaining sword drama.


21 Grams by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarrittu
Best Actor Award Sean Penn (Coppi Volpi)

Three lives collide into each other in the terrible space of an accident: a hit and-run driver of a man and his two little girls, the grieving mother and wife, and the recipient of the dead mans heart: 21 Grams is about a tragedy and its awful consequences. Directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarrittu -the man responsable for the riveting Amores Perros- 21 Grams, firstly, been given a distinctive look. The grain and colours of the film give it a beautiful authenticity. The Mexican director paints a realistic and uncommon portrait of the working and middle class America. The film also exhibits an interesting narrative structure which radically alternates between past and present. 21 Grams tackles weight themes- the unforeseen, loss, redemption- yet it ultimately disappoints in terms of narrative.  In fact, certain premises are absurd: the love story between the woman who has lost her husband and the man who has received his heart lacks credibility. Thus, the screenplay written by Guillermo Arriega Jordan is ultimately more melodramatic than meditative or metaphysical. With Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro and Naomi Watts, the cast, is nevertheless impeccable. 21 Grams is above all an actors film. del Toro, charismatic, as his want, is considerably convincing as the hit-and run driver- a violent man and a born-again Christian. Naomi Watts is powerful if somewhat schizophrenic in the role of the grief-struck mother and junkie. But it is Sean Penn who shines in the role of the heart recipient, a maths professor wrecked by sickness and searching for meaning and love. It the most well-rounded and persuasive performance in the film. It is his mature performance which enables us to transcend the ultimately somewhat absurd narrative elements of 21 Grams. Penn richly deserved the award for best actor.