REEL ANIME 2008

From Thu 3 July – Wed 16 July, Perth is lucky enough to have four exciting, all-new anime showing at Luna Leederville (map) as part of the REEL ANIME 2008 showcase. There is also an opening party featuring music, pizza and Kirin beer, on Thursday July 3 from 6:45pm, before the initial screening of Appleseed. Tickets are at normal movie prices ($15/$10.50/$9.50).

The films and times are:

APPLESEED EX MACHINA

Produced by the action master of bullet ballet, John Woo, and based on the popular science fiction manga from renowned creator Shirow Masamune (Ghost in the Shell), APPLESEED: EX MACHINA advances the art of anime to a new level.

As members of ESWAT, the elite forces serving Olympus, partners Deunan and Briareos are deployed wherever trouble strikes. The two fighters find their partnership tested in a new way by the arrival of Tereus who uncannily resembles Briareos before the wartime injuries that led to his becoming a cyborg. At the same time, Olympus finds itself under a stealth attack. Cyborg terrorism, deadly nanotech zealots, and rioting citizens are just some of the threats that Deunan must contend with as she fights to save Olympus and her relationship.

Screening: Thu-Mon from 7pm; also Thu, Fri, Mon from 3pm

BATMAN GOTHAM KNIGHT

BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHT is a fresh and exciting new entry into the Batman mythos, with production divided among three renowned studios – Studio 4ºC, Production I.G and Madhouse. A cross section of distinguished creators, award-winning producers, and acclaimed writers weave six interlocking stories that reveal Bruce Wayne’s journey to Dark Knight, each with stylish art from some of the world’s most revered animation visionaries.

With the truly inimitable visions of directors Shojiro Nishimi, Futoshi Higashide, Hiroshi Morioka, Yasuhiro Aoki and Toshiyuki Kubooka and with stories written by several of the most talented writers of film, comic books, and animation, including Academy Award®-nominated screenwriter Josh Olson (A History of Violence), David S. Goyer (Batman Begins) and award-winning comics writers Greg Rucka and Brian Azzarello, BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHT presents thrilling new adventures of Batman that spotlight several of Gotham City’s most dangerous villains, including the fearsome Scarecrow, the freakish Killer Croc and the unnerving marksman known as Deadshot.

Screening: Thu-Mon 9pm; also Thu, Fri, Mon 5pm

VEXILLE

From the producers of Appleseed comes another CG extravaganza. The year is 2077 and due to a sophisticated ultra magnetic shield, no one can enter nor leave Japan, and it is also impossible to observe the country using satellite surveillance methods. The USA has created a special force unit, SWORD, to enter Japan and to investigate the country’s development in robotic technology, which is banned by the UN. Lead by a female commander VEXILLE, and her colleague LEON, the members of SWORD head to accomplish this dangerous mission, and uncover a shocking secret.

Screening: Sat/Sun 2:45pm

THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME

When 17-year-old Makoto gains the ability to leap backwards through time, she sets about preventing personal mishaps. Yet she soon realises that changing the past isn’t so simple! Can she use her new powers to shape the future of herself and her friends? From production company Madhouse (Death Note), THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME is an absorbing, beautifully crafted anime. Featuring character design from Neon Genesis Evangelion’s Yoshiyuki Sadamoto and key staff from such classics as Princess Mononoke and The Grave of the Fireflies, this new film is destined for modern classic status.

Screening: Sat/Sun 5pm