The Princess Blade Opens Friday!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
?THE PRINCESS BLADE? OPENS IN THEATRES THIS FRIDAY!
THRILLING ELEGANT JAPANESE MARTIAL ARTS FILM SLATED FOR AUGUST 8 THEATRICAL RELEASE IN MAJOR MARKETS; RELEASES CONTINUE NATIONWIDE IN COMING WEEKS
HOUSTON August 5 2002??The Princess Blade? fresh from an extended and highly successful run on the international festival circuit opens Friday August 8 in theatres in New York and Los Angeles with additional openings in top markets through the month of August. The Japanese feature film praised for its successful combination of martial arts action and art-house sensibility has delighted critics and preview audiences alike.
Production Credits ?Princess Blade? is directed by Shinsuke Sato; special effects are by the renowned Shinji Higuchi (well-known for his work on the modern ?Gamera? series). Hong Kong-native martial arts director Donnie Yen (fresh from his acclaimed work on the Wesley Snipes blockbuster ?Blade II? and a co-starring role in ?Shanghai Knights?) handles the balletic combat scenes. The film is based upon the manga (graphic novel) ?Shurayukihime? by the legendary manga creator Kazuo Koike best known for his tale ?Lone Wolf and Cub.?
?Princess Blade:? The Story The film which combines elements of classic Japanese Samurai drama with a futuristic setting tells the story of Princess Yuki (Japanese superstar actress Yumiko Shaku) of the House of Takemikazuchi?once a force of noble guards for the Mikado elite but now an exiled and disgraced band of assassins willing to take on any task for the right price.
Yuki is a ruthlessly efficient member of the clan paid by the authoritarian government to eliminate members of a rebellious insurrectionist group. But when a mysterious stranger tells Yuki the truth about her mother?s death?that she was killed by a member of the House of Takemikazuchi?Yuki confronts the killer and after a fierce battle is forced to flee. A troubled young man named Takashi (Hideaki Ito one of Japan?s most popular film actors) comes to her aid. But Takashi is wary for he works with the rebels whom the Takemikazuchi have targeted for elimination.
Gradually Yuki and Takashi come to terms with one another. But the threat of the Takemikazuchi looms?they will not tolerate the departure of one of their own and they are closing in?
Distribution Bookings to date (additional theaters are added regularly; visit
www.theprincessblade.com for updates):
8/8: Village East NYC
Laemmle Fairfax LA
Edwards University 6 Irvine CA
Laemmle Pasadena Playhouse Pasadena CA
8/15: UA Galaxy 4 San Francisco
UA Berkeley 7 Berkeley CA
Camera Cinemas San Jose
8/22: Angelika Dallas TX
Angelika Houston TX
Dupont Circle Washington D.C
Shirlington Theater Arlington VA
Loews Copley Place Boston
8/29: Restaurant Row Honolulu HI
10/3: Dobie Theater Austin TX
Posted on Tuesday, August 05, 2003 (Archive on Friday, September 05, 2003)