Princess Blade Website
ADV LAUNCHES A DEDICATED WEBSITE FOR ?THE PRINCESS BLADE?
FEATURE FILM SLATED FOR THEATRICAL RELEASE IN EARLY 2003; SITE CONTAINS EXTENSIVE PRODUCTION BACKGROUND OTHER CONTENT
HOUSTON December 13 2002?ADV Films today announced the launch of a new content-rich website dedicated to
?The Princess Blade.? This long-awaited Japanese martial arts spectacular feature film (aka ?Shurayukihime?) has been enthusiastically received by audiences and critics in festival screenings on three continents and is slated for U.S. theatrical release in early 2003.
?The Princess Blade? Website Content: The website includes details of the film?s plot background on the production the film?s staff the actors and a list of selected film-festival screenings. A trailer for the film is forthcoming and will be available for download from the site. Visitors can enter email contact information to be notified of updates to the site.
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 fight choreographer Donnie Yen (fresh from his acclaimed work on the Wesley Snipes blockbuster ?Blade II?) handles the balletic combat scenes.
?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 ADV Films is currently finalizing screening arrangements for the title; initial cinema bookings will be announced early in 2003.
Posted on Friday, December 13, 2002 (Archive on Monday, January 13, 2003)