Producer of Ring, Shinya Kawai threw down the gauntlet for two young filmmakers to make a film according to a specific set of rules. There should be no more than three characters – one of which must die; it should be set in one location, and be shot on a small budget over eight days. And so The Duel Project was born.
ARAGAMI is directed by Ryuhei Kitamura, who brought us the cult yakuza zombie flick, Versus). Masaya Kato (Gozu, Agitator) stars as a samurai, seriously wounded from battle and takes refuge in a remote temple. He wakes to find himself miraculously healed by a mysterious swordsman, who reveals himself to be the battlegod Aragami. Man and immortal become locked in deadly combat which only one can win.
The second film, 2LDK, from Yukihiko Tsutsumi, focuses on the feud between two actresses who become rivals for the same TV role. Since they’re also flatmates it becomes even more personal, a fight to the death in the confines of the small apartment with its 2 bedrooms, Living room Dining room and Kitchen. As their attempt to drown and electrocute each other fail, they prepare for a showdown with ice picks.
Tarantino and Rodriguez relished the B-movie challenge for their joint Grindhouse adventure, so here’s an Asia Extreme equivalent. Both Aragami and 2LDK can be watched independently, but they are celluloid twins, each enhancing the other. Inseparable viewing that delivers dual pleasure.
