Garbage Warrior & Sakuran on DVD

DVDfever.co.uk – Press release: Garbage Warrior & Sakuran on DVD

Garbage Warrior & Sakuran on DVD Distributed by
ICA FilmsGarbage Warrior:
Sakuran:

Posted: January 23rd, 2009.

GARBAGE WARRIOR

Nominated – Best British Documentary – 2007 British Independent Film Awards
Nominated – 2007 Kyoto Planet Climate for Change Award
Winner – Audience Award – Vancouver Film Festival

“Michael Reynolds … is riveting to watch, alternately profane, ridiculous and brave. Oliver Hodge’s portrait of this eco-firebrand makes you want to drop everything and start building an “earthship” yourself.” – Vancouver International Film Festival
“A fascinating, stirring eco-documentary” – Film 4
“Documentarian Oliver Hodge depicts his subject as a true humanitarian” – Empire

British director Oliver Hodge delivers an important message in documentary GARBAGE WARRIOR outlining Michael Reynolds’ mission to create self sustaining eco-housing purely from recycled materials in a world where climate change is becoming more topical. GARBAGE WARRIOR asks the question; can we radically change the way we live to dramatically reduce our carbon footprint?

For 30 years New Mexico-based Reynolds and his green disciples have devoted their time to advancing the art of “earthship biotecture” by building self-sufficient, off-the-grid communities where design and function converge in eco-harmony. Using beer cans, car tyres and water bottles instead of bricks and mortar renegade architect Michael Reynolds uses these materials as tools of choice for producing thermal mass and energy-independent housing. Through the process of trial and error, once making a house hot enough to melt plastic, Michael and his team hone the “earthship” technology, developing and tweaking new ideas and solutions.

However, these experimental structures that defy state standards create conflict between Reynolds and the authorities and he finds architectural licence revoked. Frustrated by legislation, Reynolds lobbies for the right to create a sustainable living test site. It is only in the wake of natural disasters like the Boxing Day Tsunami and Hurricane Rita in Mexico that Michael can show in practice how this new form of housing can be part of the solution to the challenges of the changing global environment.

GARBAGE WARRIOR is released on DVD on 12 January 2009 by ICA Films and runs for 84 mins. Shot over three years and in four different countries this film is a timely portrait of a determined visionary, a hero for the 21st century.

SAKURAN

A film by Mika Ninagawa

“…propels the audience into a riotous and sensually stunning world unlike anything seen before” – 2007 Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival
“Aurally Gorgeous Geisha tale” – Guardian Guide
“Visually stunning” – Sunday Telegraph
“Colourful and snazzy” – Sunday Times

Adapted from the Manga comic series by Moyoco Anno, SAKURAN is a tour de force of new Japanese film and music talent. A lush, sumptuous tale of 18th century Edo-era courtesans, with sassy geishas, illicit affairs, behind the scenes cat fights and all out brawls, this is the film Memoirs of a Geisha should have been.

The story follows the ascent of Kiyoha, a rebellious and feisty girl sold to a brothel in the notorious Yoshiwara district; a nightlife zone that served both the elite and working classes for hundreds of years. We follow her as she rises through the ranks of the competitive brothel, initially as the house girl of an established Geisha, through to learning the trade and eventually becoming Higurashi – the preeminent geisha of the brothel. Headstrong and independent from the outset, Kiyoha is choosy about her customers and defiant to her employers and fellow Geishas; she wants to find her own freedom rather than have a rich merchant buy it for her.

In the role of Kiyoha/Higurashi is half-Caucasian, half-Japanese model/rock idol/actress Anna Tsuchiya (Kamikaze Girls), whose natural energy and bad-girl approach is a perfect fit for the ferocious independence of Kiyoha. Delicately feminine she has a steely inner strength that has made her a huge hit with fans of both sexes.

The director, acclaimed photographer Mika Ninagawa, brings her distinctive view on the world with lush, saturated colour and flamboyant costumes, veering away from historical accuracy to give a cheeky, j-pop twist to the geisha genre. With a soundtrack of pop, jazz and electro written and composed especially for the film by Ringo Shena, Sakuran is a riot of colour, sound and emotion – unlike anything you have seen before.

The anti-Memoirs of a Geisha, SAKURAN is released on DVD on 12 January 2009 by ICA Films and runs for 111 mins. A feast for the eyes and the ears this film excels as a warm-hearted and original tale of one woman snarling, biting and kicking her way to the top.

The DVDs is are now, they retail for £12.99 each on DVD,but are currently on Amazon at the link above for £8.98 each.

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