Okinawa 2015: Festival Highlights

The Ninja War of Torakage Dir. Nishimura Yoshihiro

The latest foray into the blood-splattered world of Tokyo Gore Police's Nishimura Yoshihiro. Saitoh Takumi stars as the titular hero, a once legendary ninja until he decided to settle down and raise a family. When the villainous Shiina Eihi (Audition) captures Torakage's young son he must return to his old ways in a race against time to retrieve an ancient scroll and save the child's life. Unmistakably Nishimura the film contains all over-the-top visual effects, outlandish action and buckets of blood we've come to expect from the director. This family-focused tale of feudal Japan has more heart and a better grip on story than some of the director's previous work, offering a tremendous amount of ninja fun.

Deadman Inferno Dir. Shinagawa Hiroshi

Director Hiroshi Shinagawa walked away with the festival's grand prize last year and he's back again with zombie/yakuza comedy Deadman Inferno. Aikawa Sho (Dead or Alive series, The Eel) stars as a washed-up ex-yakuza forced to live the quiet life after a rival gang almost wiped out his entire crew years ago. When a zombie virus is unleashed on a small island the old gangster may get a chance at revenge if he manages to survive the undead.

Harajuku Denier Dir. Takahata Hideta

High Kick Girl! Takeda Rina is everywhere at the moment having had films in Yubari (Dawn), Osaka (Dojo Kun) and now Okinawa festival, with another five films set to come out this year. Set amidst the mixing pot of fashion and youth culture that is Tokyo's trendy Harajuku neighbourhood, Takeda stars alongside K-pop boy band BEE SHUFFLE! in a film that explores how dreams of fame can crash into a seedy reality.

Gems on the Run Dir. Sok Visal, Quentin Clausin

The appearance of a Cambodian work from the country’s fledgling film industry is a rare treat. Gems on the Run is an enjoyable road movie that follows two childhood friends who took very different paths in life; one’s now a cop and the other a criminal. The pair are forced to travel the country together on the run with cops, gangsters and an angry fiancé hot on their heels. Offering action, comedy, romance and a talented cast, this is a solid effort and a good sign for the future of Cambodian film.

The T-800 on the Cine Screen 400, the world's largest portable outdoor screen? Amazing! Interstellar and The Terminator had night screenings on the mammoth stage with a background of stars and a cool breeze blowing from across the Okinawan sea for a really special movie-watching experience.

The Sex Cannonball Run 2013 Dir. Company Matsuo/Tetsuaki Matsue

Adult Video producer Company Matsuo's The Sex Cannonball Run 2013 has to be seen to believed. This combination of Burt Reynolds, Jackass and porn is unlike anything I've ever witnessed and it left me howling with laughter and gagging in equal measure. A group of AV directors undertake a race from Tokyo up to the northern island of Hokkaido scoring points for committing sex acts along the way. The prize? A night with two of the company's top porn stars. Probably illegal in any other country. Probably illegal in Japan too.