X Japan Documentary 'WE ARE X' Selected to the 60th BFI London Film Festival
Passion Pictures is delighted to announce that their critically acclaimed documentary We Are X a new film about Japan's most iconic rock band X JAPAN, will celebrate its UK Premiere at the 60th BFI London Film Festival on the 8th & 9th October 2016.
We Are X was produced by the team behind the Academy Award-winning film Searching For Sugar Man and Academy shortlisted and BAFTA-Nominated Listen To Me Marlon, producer John Battsek (Passion Pictures) alongside renowned director Stephen Kijak (Stones In Exile, Scott Walker: 30 Century Man, Backstreet Boys: Show'em What You're Made Of).
We Are X explores the evolution, groundbreaking history and hopeful future of the land of the rising sun's most legendary rock group. X JAPAN have sold 30 million singles and albums combined and continue to tour the world performing sold-out shows to massive arenas in 16 countries throughout the US and Europe.
"It's overwhelming to see the full documentary We Are X, says the band's co-founder YOSHIKI. "Stephen Kijak and John Battsek opened doors, which I shut and never intended to re-open. I didn't realize that on the other side, dark memories could co-exist with a meaningful future. Audiences will be a witness to our history and future."
Director Stephen Kijak said: “To borrow a phrase from my hero (and YOSHIKI's) David Bowie – this film gave me “the gift of sound and vision.” And I'm talking Vision with a capital “V”. Visual Kei. Psychedelic Violence Crimes of Visual Shock. This band has a cinematic universe hardwired into their DNA and the only way to properly explain them or to express the scope of their musical, cultural (and visual) achievements was though the medium of the movies and it has been a supreme honour to be charged with bringing that story to the screen.”
Producer John Battsek said: “Working with Stephen to enable YOSHIKI to reveal his deepest truths was creatively challenging and ultimately deeply rewarding. The trust YOSHIKI placed in us is hugely appreciated by us both and we now look forward to watching audiences witness his emotional and dramatic story and that of his band X Japan.”
From X JAPAN's massive success (over 30 million albums, singles and videos sold) and sold-out tours worldwide, We Are X chronicles the triumphs and tragedies of this legendary quintet who will never give up.
X JAPAN is: YOSHIKI (drums/piano/composer), Toshi (vocals), Pata (guitar), Heath (bass), Sugizo (violin/guitar) alongside their fallen brothers Hide (guitars, 1987-1997) and Taiji (1986-1992).
We Are X will premiere at the 60th BFI London Film Festival on the following dates:
Saturday 8th October 21:00 – Prince Charles Cinema, Leicester Square
Sunday 9th October 18:00 – Vue West End Cinema, Screen 7
About Passion Pictures
Passion Pictures films division is a double Academy Award winning independent production company and one of the most successful and prolific producers of feature documentary films in the international marketplace.
Starting with Academy Award-winning ONE DAY IN SEPTEMBER in 1999, the company has since been responsible for over thirty feature documentaries, including: Academy Award nominated RESTREPO; Academy shortlisted THE TILLMAN STORY (Winner Best Historical Doc Emmy 2012); Prime Time Emmy winning MANHUNT; BAFTA Outstanding Debut Winner THE IMPOSTER, and Academy Award and BAFTA winning SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN.
More recently, Passion produced the 2016 Academy shortlisted and 2016 BAFTA nominated LISTEN TO ME MARLON (Winner IDA Award Best Writing 2016) and the 2016 Academy Award Nominated WINTER ON FIRE.
