BATTLE ROYALE

One of the most controversial Japanese films of the decade is finally getting a much-deserved theatrical release! A bona fide cult sensation, BATTLE ROYALE made a big impression on a certain Mr. Quentin Tarantino and definitely served as inspiration for that other movie coming out about teens brutally offing each other in a Most Dangerous Game of survival (psst…THE HUNGER GAMES).

Like A CLOCKWORK ORANGE for the 21st century, this blood-soaked satire by the late great Japanese director Kinji Fukasaku is the tale of a dystopian society of the not-too-distant future overrun by teen violence and rebellion. In an extreme effort to restore order and curb the country's pesky juvenile delinquent problem, the Japanese government passes an act which sanctions an annual death match where an entire high school class is kidnapped, taken to a remote island, and given three days to kill each other -- leaving just one victor. Whether preppy, bully, nerd, friend or foe, it doesn't matter; it's a wrenching kill or be killed situation. Shocking, yes. Gory, hell yes. Pointlessly so? No. BATTLE ROYALE is a thrilling, expertly crafted epic featuring a icy, devious performance by the great Japanese actor Beat Takeshi as the military official who orchestrates this circus of carnage.

Long withheld from U.S. theaters, don’t miss your chance to see this new classic on the BIG screen!