‘Bunraku:’ Puppet martial arts fantasy starring Josh Hartnett, Gackt

I don’t know what to make of this but it definitely sounds interesting. BUNRAKU, an unusual film that Variety describes as a “martial arts fantasy actioner” will blend elements of Japanese puppetry, CGI and live-action to create a fight-filled artsy flick that star Josh Hartnett previously struggled to describe when speaking to MTV.

Hartnett’s character is a gypsy called “The Drifter” who enters an unreal world that defies description. “It’s not fantasy,” said Hartnett. “Well, I mean, it’s fantasy in that it’s not reality, but it’s not NARNIA. It’s a film that, I don’t know how to stick it into a genre, but I would say it’s more a film like SIN CITY than anything else.”

Written and currently being directed in Romania by the relatively unknown Guy Moshe, BUNRAKU takes its name, and presumably its visual style, from a form of Japanese puppet theater marked by large puppets with intricate facial mechanics that are controlled by up to three puppeteers.

IMDB lists some other high-profile Hollywood actors that are rumored to be in the film but one confirmed bit of casting is J-pop superstar Gackt. Beginning in 2003, he moved into acting by starring in MOON CHILD, an action drama with sci-fi themes that he also wrote.

Not being familiar with Gackt, I looked up some of his music videos and live concert footage and it turns out he has a rather unique cinematic style to his look and choreography that would probably fit quite well with a project like BUNRAKU. As example, check out a samurai-themed music video with stylized action choreography.

Gackt – “Returner”

The first footage of BUNRAKU will be unveiled at Cannes this year so we may get more details later this month.