Вся история, как мы ее знаем - ложь!!!
#X https://t.co/j9oCyBVV1A pic.twitter.com/vN3sepTnPn
— Yoshiki (@YoshikiOfficial) 29 января 2016
#Sundance #WeAreX #Ascap pic.twitter.com/mDzTrBWAsj
— Yoshiki (@YoshikiOfficial) 30 января 2016#Russian article! #Sundance #WeAreXFilm https://t.co/wyvVPOcjpS pic.twitter.com/Yyv7n52O5q
— Yoshiki (@YoshikiOfficial) 30 января 2016ArticleSundance Review: Moving Doc 'We Are X' Chronicles the Tragic Story of Japan's Biggest & Boldest Band
By Carlos Aguilar | SydneysBuzz
Январь 29, 2016 at 7:56PM
Kijak's latest rock-doc centers on X Japan, the most important Japanese musical act ever. Although for most of our isolated Western ears their extravagant and fascinating reinvention of rock and roll might be unknown, the power of their anthems is similar to a transporting religious revelation for millions in latitudes.
“English is the language of rock,” was the restrictive motto used by some to predict the impossibility of a Japanese band being successful in the genre, but, as Stephen Kijak music documentary “We Are X” proves, they were all wrong. Following last year's "Backstreet Boys: Show'Em What You Are Made Of," Kijak's latest rock-doc centers on X Japan, the most important Japanese musical act in existence. Although for most of our ignorant Western ears their extravagant and fascinating reinvention of rock and roll might be unknown, the power of their anthems is similar to a transporting religious revelation for millions.
Considered today as some of the most legendary performers in any language, X Japan was formed in the early 1980s when drummer Yoshiki, the absolute pillar and leader of the band, and vocalist Toshi were just teenagers making sense of their less than ideal lives through the angry energy in their composition. Stylistically, both in their attires and sound, they were the pioneers in the Visual Kei musical movement. Makeup, outrageous hairstyles, colorful clothing, and an overall sense of theatricality to their presence became their signature and what differentiate them from other artists in their local industry. Though they have often been compared groups in Glam rock scene, X Japan is in a category on its own due to the way they incorporate cultural authenticity into their flamboyant personas.
Noticeably embracing these attributes in the making of the film, Kijak takes advantage of the built –in narrative structure that the days leading up to the bands first epic presentation at Madison Square Garden provide. While counting down the days to this monumental event, both the current state at the band and their unbelievably tragic history are revisited in what seems like a painfully constructed scrapbook that holds many wonderful memories of friendship and success next to genuinely touching anecdotes about their bleakest episodes.
Centered on Yoshiki as the driving force of the band, “We Are X” chronicles his rise to superstardom at home while struggling to make an impact abroad as well as the personal battles such as his father’s death that have lead him to write songs that speak to the defeated by revitalizing them with hope. Kijak intelligently sprinkles the engrossing story with Yoshiki’s spiritual beliefs, which constantly lead him to think that all the recurrent calamities that wreck him are cause by an inexplicable curse. His soft-spoken personality and delicate mannerism clash with the commanding and ravaging character he plays on stage.
Watching Yoshiki’s masochistic devotion to his craft - to the point of nearly dying after each show and enduring tremendous muscular pain with every movement - is horrifying and galvanizing at once. He is a man that doesn’t brag about putting his life on the line, but who does so every night to transcend via his music. Is as if with every stroke of the drums Yoshiki attacks his ingrained demons, destroying his body but freeing his soul. Witnessing the amount of reckless vigor he exudes, despite the injections, the neck-brace, medications, and therapy he must submit himself to, is one of the purest examples of art surpassing the human body to become something divinely heroic.
Death is a relentless villain in the story of X Japan. Throughout the film, Yoshiki is seen visiting the cemetery on multiple occasions to honor the departed. One of the most overwhelming sequences takes place when the band’s guitarist, Hide, commits suicide. His importance within the band and among their fan base was immeasurable. Thousands of girls breaking down in the streets of Japan and some even taking their own lives, was the aftermath. That’s the degree to which those who are inspired by their songs idolize Japan X. They replicate their outfits, they have their own hand gestures that resembles the letter that gives name to the band, they have a chant that is closer to a battle call and which exclaims “We are X!’ euphorically, and most importantly they have a sense of family – one that will never judge them based on their quirks.
Proficient and occasionally above the norm, like in the visually enticing opening credits, the documentary itself doesn’t go beyond traditional devices such as intimate interviews, archive footage, and recorded performances Nevertheless, Kijak’s proven affinity to interestingly portray a variety of music-related non-fiction tales shines here partly because of the exuberance of his subjects. The story is bigger than film, especially because the filmmaker’s objective was not only to capture the essence of the band, but also to inform those unfamiliar with X Japan about who they are and why their triumphant return matters. Their accented English lyrics and dramatic approach to performance were never an obstacle for those able to look into the more profound aspects of their work.
By the time the credits roll one feels for Yoshiki’s exposed vulnerability and the initial curiosity of watching a film about obscure Japanese musician transforms into admiration and respect for their loyalty to each other and their inspirational hymns designed to light up packed stadiums. Kijak’s entertaining and potent portrait is bound to become a favorite among fans and to persuade others to join the ranks of those under the loud spell of X Japan.
"We Are X" premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival and it's currently seeking distribution.
indiewire.com
@темы: фото, Yoshiki, Япония, X-Japan, J-Rock, Чудо в перьях
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01.02.2016 в 22:22-
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01.02.2016 в 22:25