For three decades, filmmaker Takeshi Kitano was fixated on a period of Japanese history, in which Lord Oda Nobunaga was inexplicably betrayed by one of his closest allies, Akechi Mitsuhide, in an ambush at Honno-ji Temple. The reasons behind Mitsuhide’s deception are unknown, but Kitano dedicated years to concocting his own theories, going so far as to pen a novel imagining the events that led to the incident. 

Adapted from his own book, “Kubi” is an outrageously exhilarating update of the samurai epic, dialing up the blood and guts and sprinkling in the sick humor to match.

Continue reading ‘Kubi’ Review: Takeshi Kitano Stages A Blood-Soaked Samurai Epic [Cannes] at The Playlist.

Legendary Japanese actor-director Takeshi Kitano returns to the Croisette for the first time this year since 2010, when his film “Outrage” competed for the coveted Palme d’Or. And while “Kubi,” Kitano’s latest directorial effort, may premiere out of competition at the 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival this month, The Film Stage still think it’ll be a festival highlight.

READ MORE: Cannes Critics’ Week 2023 Lineup: New Films From Jason Yu, Amanda Nell Eu & More

Based on the director’s 2019 novel, “Kubi” tells the story of the real-life Honno-ji Incident and the assassination of Japanese warlord Oda Nobunaga in Kyoto in 1582.

Continue reading ‘Kubi’ Teaser: Takeshi Kitano’s Epic War Film Premieres Out Of Competition At Cannes Later This Month at The Playlist.