Orochi
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Director: Buntarô Futagawa
1925 / 101min / DCP
Among the best-loved surviving silent films of jidaigeki (“period film”) star Tsumasaburō “Bantsuma” Bandō, the strikingly modern Orochi introduced a new, relentlessly fast-paced style of onscreen swordplay in telling the tale of an antihero samurai beset on all sides by the deceit and wickedness bred by a foundering feudal society. Presented with an original soundtrack by Shimizu, first performed with the 23-piece Saxophonettes on the grounds of Tokyo’s Meiji Shrine in 2008.
“Today, I was reminded of the most wonderful film I've ever worked on. The title is Orochi .This film is a silent samurai movie made and released in 1925, directed by Bunta Suga. It is the first production of the Banto Tsumasaburō Production and a landmark work that sparked the ‘sword-fighting boom’ in Japan. This year marks the 100th anniversary of its release! I composed music for a film concert. A few years later, the master film of Orochi was rediscovered, and in 2023, a digital master version was produced. I revised the score for this 4K digital restoration, which was released the same year. This film holds great significance for me.” —Yasuaki Shimizu
Film still (c) Matsudafilm/SamuraiDramaChannel
Introduction by composer Yasuaki Shimizu on Saturday, March 22nd
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