tekkon kinkreet (black and white)

[pete]

trailers and

directed by Michael Arias, "Tekkon Kinkreet" or "Black and White" is a long-awaited adaptation of the genre-defying Japanese comicbook of the same name, by Taiyo Matsumoto, whose previous big-screen adaptations include "Ping Pong" and "Blue Spring."  A stylistic fusion of vintage French cartoons and the more kinetic aspects of Japanese animation, the movie tells the story of two street urchins, Black and White, as they battle any entity, from local street gangs to the police, who threaten their beloved city--a curious mixture of 1950s Tokyo and some odd futuristic elements.  When a crime-syndicate corporation attempts to gentrify the city (their first project: to liquidate the red light district and to turn it into a giant amusement park), they begin targeting the two urchins.  Though gifted with the ability to fly and to fight, White is extremely naive, borderlining mentally retarded, while the slightly older and cynical Black takes care of him.  After a forced separation, Black must battle his own hallucinatory self, as well as three outerworldly assassins.

I've read the comic, and it's one of my favorite books ever.  It's unapologetic in its brutality, but at the same time exhibits a childlike exhuberance, akin to City of God.  The art is decided magical-realistic, combining gritty street aesthetics and a more cartoonish, magical throwback.  The result is as moving as anything.  Judging from the trailer, it seems like it's done the original comicbook justice.  The following is an interview/ hype session with its director Michael Arias:
http://www.pingmag.jp/2006/11/22/making-taiyo-matsumoto-tekkon-kinkreet-into-anime/

an LA times interview:
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/movies/la-ca-arias4feb04,1,993687.story?coll=la-entnews-movies&ctrack=1&cset=true

and finally, a review by variety:
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/movies/la-ca-arias4feb04,1,993687.story?coll=la-entnews-movies&ctrack=1&cset=true

the word on the street is that Sony has picked it up for North American distribution, though no words on when or how.

[pete]

American Site.