GHOSTROADS

A Retro Rock Horror Comedy that's Finger-Snappin' Good

Venue(s): Shibuya Humax Cinema: Sept. 30 - Oct. 13 and Cinemart Shinjuku: Oct. 14 - Oct. 26
Language: Japanese with English subtitles
Official website: ghostroads.jp/
Theater website: www.humax-cinema.co.jp/cinema/shibuya/movies.html
Theater website: www.cinemart.co.jp/theater/shinjuku/
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=hxwJ4AfzOwM


Title: ゴーストロード (GHOSTROADS: A JAPANESE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL GHOST STORY)
Director: Enrico Ciccu, Ken Nishikawa, Les Deciduous, Mike Rogers Duration: 79 min

Hot on the heels of its world premiere at London’s Raindance Film Festival in September, Ghostroads: A Japanese Rock ‘n’ Roll Ghost Story settles into Shibuya for two weeks before moving on to Shinjuku and then… the known universe (cue theremin). We strongly suspect repeated viewings are in the cards — and perhaps a soundtrack purchase, too.

If you can resist this self-described Hard Day’s Night in Japan with a Faustian twist, you’re stronger than we are. (The Raindance programmer called it “Cheesy, off-kilter and quite strange,” so c’mon, what are you waiting for?)

Mixing guitar licks and ghouls, taking inspiration from Rocky Horror Picture Show and a range of other superlatively oddball musicals, Ghostroads tells the story of an aging rocker whose dreams of success have taken a beating over the years. Tony (Takashi Manabe, aka Mr. Pan of The Neatbeats) is the frontman of The Screamin’ Telstars, a retro rock band that just can’t seem to hit the bigtime. But one day, Tony discovers that his new amp is possessed by Peanut Butter (Darrell Harris), an African-American blues musician from a past era. The ghost makes mouth-watering promises (hey — he’s peanut butter, after all), and Tony can’t help falling for them.

Soon, he’s endowed with such exceptional skills, he’s able to outdo his longtime rival, “rock god” Shinzo (Tatsuji Nobuhara of The Pirates). Then PB says he can help him write a song that will be on people’s lips forever. But of course, the ghost isn’t just giving this all away. He wants to strike a hard bargain, just like the antagonist of the German legend. How high a price is our would-be rock star prepared to pay for immortal fame…?

Ghostroads features a too-hip lineup of Japan’s best garage, underground and beat bands, including The Neatbeats (the “Japanese Beatles”), The Privates (Japan’s answer to the Buzzcocks) and The 50 Kaitenz (the Japanese Ramones), as well as legendary Los Angeles DJ Rodney Bingenheimer and for the boys, Mina Shirakawa, one of Japan’s top pinup girls, and burlesque performer Miwa Rock.

It took four grown men to direct this phantasmagoria — Enrico Ciccu (Italy), Ken Nishikawa (Japan, UK), Les Deciduous (unknown) and Mike Rogers (America) — all of whom pulled double or triple duty to get it made and out there (non-risqué double entendre intended).

We hope their multinational mashup earns enduring applause — and we hope to see you at the theater(s)!

Shibuya Humax Cinema: Sept. 30 - Oct. 13

Cinemart Shinjuku: Oct. 14 - Oct. 26