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2000

international competition

Gemini

Tsukamoto Shinya

Japan, 1999, 84', Swiss Premiere

The movie

Tokyo 1920s. Dr. Yukio runs a flourishing clinic with his new wife, the enigmatic Rix. Then one day, after his parents' mysterious death, Yukio is assaulted and thrown into a pit by a criminal of sorts who turns out to be no less than his own twin brother, Sutekichi, a low-life scoundrel. Mr. Hyde then makes his brother identity, life and wife. Yukio miraculously survives and vows to have revenge and reconquer his wife. Tsukamoto's first historical picture, Gemini is an adaptation of a shortstory by Edogawa, Japan's mistery master. It is the most accessible (and costliest) Tsukamoto production so far where traditional European cinema interwines with Japanese vanguard. Tsukamoto took care great of the general design, with an original soundtrack reminiscent of "An Opera from Hell" overlapping obsessively Meiji-style sets, surrealistic make-ups and hairdos, as well as a wide array of costumes from other reacher of space.  Says Tsukamoto: "This film is like a good Chinese dish. You gather up all the ingredients then very swiftly stir-fry the whole thing. Delicious."


Award :

H. R. Giger « Narcisse » Award for Best Feature Film

producers :

Futoshi Nishimura

cast :

Masahiro Motoki, Yasukata Tsutsui, Ryo Maro