YAKUZA APOCALYPSE: Interview with Director Takashi Miike

Through the magicks of the internet, we were able to reach out to the Legendary filmmaker Takashi Miike for a few questions. Be sure to ask yours when he comes to the Ryerson for THE FIRST TIME EVER with his brand new, insane looking film Yakuza Apocalpyse!

Am very much anticipating discovering the musical choice that accompanies this image in Yakuza Apocalypse!

MMB: As a seemingly tireless creator how do you refill your inspiration?

Takashi Miike: Movie sets are my place of peace. Sleep, wake up, eat and if I can only shoot movies that’s fine. I don't consider if my talent will dry up. The image comes to me if I stand on the location. If I lose work, I would just do other work. That's it.

MMB: We’re very excited to have you here, finally! How does it feel to be actually, physically, at Midnight Madness!? Do you have a message for the fans?!

Takashi Miike:  Feels like going back to my hometown. Toronto Midnight Madness is my very first film festival that I was invited. It was a huge event to me whom was making movie with super low budgets in Japan. Our finished movie would take us to the place we wouldn’t imagined if we work hard at our own post. Midnight Madness taught us. Colin [Geddes] and Toronto's audience who welcomed me kindly and enthusiastically are my treasure.

Well, I wonder if you would enjoy this time, Yakuza Apocalypse... I’m looking forward to seeing you at the theatre. Let’s party!

MMB: You have such a diverse body of work. Yakuza Apocalypse, seems like a return to the over-the-top style of your Dead or Alive series (absolutely Midnight Madness!) What attracted you to this project?

Takashi Miike: Freedom. Freedom that we can make something we think is interesting. And… because we made it freely, it became Midnight Madness.

A stranger appears! I wonder who is more weirded out here.

MMB: IMDb lists you as directing 98 features! Were there any unique challenges of making Yakuza Apocalypse that you hadn’t encountered before?

Takashi Miike: Every movie is fresh and stimulating for directors. We face them with an immaculate heart, like a child. I have never been conscious if I made a lot of movies. But I might never meet movie like "Yakuza Apocalypse" in the future. You would understand the reason if you see it. How do I say....

I think, "A film that gives people a fresh happiness, where they feel that this world is not so bad because such a serious and absurd movie can exist - is rarely born"

MMB: In your opinion - what’s the best defence against vampires? 

Takashi Miike: You should resolve yourself. Become a vampire instead of running. Suck, suck, and suck! That kind of life is not so bad. The person who is resolute is strong.

 Ding-ding! Mascot crossing! 

YAKUZA APOCALYPSEscreens:
Fri, Sept 18, 11:59 PM RYERSON
Sat, Sept 19, 3:00 PM SCOTIABANK

Yikes! My Film Is OFF SALE!

With the excitement of single-ticket day at TIFF comes some inevitable disappointment. Surging ticket sales and the prospect of all manner of shenanigans at the Ryerson means that, despite a capacity of a whopping 1800 in the theatre, some midnight screenings will sell out ahead of time before you can snag a seat for yourself.

Dude, it's ok! We'll get you a ticket!

But fear not, festival-goers! There are still a couple of ways you can see a Midnight Madness selection even if those dreaded words, 'OFF SALE', come up when you go to buy a ticket.  Using my patented* KRAM system, you may still find a seat at the Ryerson with your name on it.

Keep checking the box office! Tickets come available all the time thoughout the Festival - whether it's because a production company has fewer people coming than expected, or because a band of crazies has abducted several members of the cast, tickets will sometimes be released to the box office on the day of the screening or even before.  I like going in person myself, but you can check online as well. It can't hurt to try!

Rush the film! Think of it like a fun adventure that involves a lot of waiting. Basically, if you join the special Rush line for a Midnight Madness screening you'll be able to score any seats that are remaining when all the ticketholders are let in.  You have a much better chance of getting in if you're in that line as early as possible, with people lining up anywhere from one to three hours ahead for very popular movies.  Also, remember that you can only hold a spot in line for yourself and one other person. Some of the most fun TIFF experiences I've had have been in Rush lines, and I'd definitely recommend trying it at least once - if not for a Midnight screening, then for any other Festival film.

Attend another screening! It may not be as rambunctious as a midnight screening, but you'll still be able to see an amazing film and maybe even remain awake for the entire running time. There are lots of second and sometimes third screenings of Midnight Madness films on the schedule, so check at the bottom of this post for the film's other screening times.


Make a pizza! Because pizza solves everything.

Pizza is a flatbread generally topped with tomato sauce and cheese and baked in an oven. It is commonly topped with a selection of meats, vegetables and condiments.

*not patented

Social Media Buzz for THE GUEST!

When you're like Adam Wingard and Simon Barrett and you throw a bloody, gun-crazy, astounding action film up at Midnight Madness like THE GUEST, people are gonna talk.  And talk they did, on Twitter and Instagram after the Midnight Madness closer sent the Ryerson audience home happy.  Check out what folks were saying about the Dan Stevens thriller!

Sadly THE GUEST has finally packed his bags and left TIFF, but you'll be able to see Dan Stevens in all his cold-blooded glory starting September 17th in a theatre near you!

Pics From the Premiere of THE GUEST!

It's never been Midnight Madness' style to go out, Jason style, without one more kill and last night's screening of THE GUEST joins Festival closers like L'INTERIEUR, KILL LIST, and the original HOSTEL as the latest to end Midnight Madness with a bang (and several knife wounds). Simon Barrett and Adam Wingard's latest sent cheers through the Ryerson audience and it was pretty clear that a couple of people were excited to see THE GUEST himself, Dan Stevens, as well.  Ian Goring was, as always, there to capture the mayhem!

The most dedicated audience at TIFF lines up one last time for 2014!

The lovely Maika Monroe braves the cold for THE GUEST!

THE GUEST himself, Dan Stevens!

Spooooky!

Representing Canada in the cast, Brendan Meyer!

What what, director Adam Wingard throws it up!

Never let it be said that ten days of TIFF doesn't bring out the wacky in directors and stars alike.

I don't know what Adam Wingard is doing here other than 'beer'.  Simon Barrett seems equally perplexed.

What a charming pair - Dan Stevens and Maika Monroe.

The whole crew from THE GUEST!

Adam Wingard jumpkicks the invisible spooky mango tree that grows outside the Ryerson.

That did not end well.

Simon Barrett, Colin Geddes, and Adam Wingard in a rare moment of calm.

...which didn't last long.

I don't know why Adam Wingard was intent on killing his cast with jumpkicks.

Dan Stevens displays his superhuman genetically-superior strength in restraining Adam onstage.

The charming Dan Stevens takes questions from the audience.

And that's all folks!

TIFF is over, so you'll have to wait until THE GUEST drops in theatres to see it! Thankfully, that's two days from now if you're lucky enough to live in the US!

Social Media Buzz for WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS!

Like all Midnight Madness screenings, Friday's screening of Jermaine Clement's WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS inspired some wild posts on Twitter and Instagram.  Jonny Bunning kept a vigilant eye on social media to see what people thought of New Zealand's greatest vampire mockmentary of the year!

You still have a chance at checking out a screening of WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS at TIFF! Check out the details below.


WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS Final Screening:
Sun., Sept. 14th, 3:45 PM, SCOTIABANK 3

Pics from the Premiere of WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS!

Jermaine Clement brought his signature dry wit and wacky humour to the Ryerson last night for the premiere of his vampire mockumentary WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS, and a packed house of Midnighters was in stitches! Ian Goring was there to capture all the spooky action!

Producer Emanuel Michael, Writer/Director/Star Jermaine Clement, and Stuart Rutherford

What a charming bunch!

Producer Emanuel Michael

Stuart 'Stu' Rutherford

Jermaine Clement hams it up on the red carpet!

Jermaine Clement and Colin Geddes looking sharp on the red carpet.

Blah!

The Ryerson was packed for WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS!

Colin Geddes hypes the crowd for the penultimate screening of Midnight Madness 2014!

Jermaine Clement reads a very official statement from the New Zealand Documentary Board.

Jermaine Clement and Stuart Rutherford chat with the audience after the screening.

You can still catch a screening of WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS here at TIFF!


WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS Final Screening:
Sun., Sept. 14th, 3:45 PM, SCOTIABANK 3