Punk rock cartoon zombie wrestling wrap-up

>> Fantasia saves its best moves for the final reel

by RUPERT BOTTENBERG

You know that old expression, "The best is yet to come," right? Well, it seems to apply to the Fantasia fest, which is easing into its final week. If you're reading this any later than about quarter to six on Thursday, July 26, drop this paper now and rush down to the Imperial for the collection of Japanese shorts, starting at 7:45 p.m. On the bill is Nekojiru-So, a half-hour cartoon that pretty much defies description. Creepy, goofy, touching and utterly surreal, Nekojiru-So is based on the '90s mangas of the late Nekojiru, an enigmatic cartoonist who committed suicide a few years ago. A sad losS, and frustrating, too, in that now nobody will ever figure out what she was thinking when she dreamed up these bizarre scenarios about cute kitties, celestial circuses and death as a punchline.

Also on that bill are outtakes from Vermilion Pleasure Hour, a super fucked-up late-nite Japanese variety show. The "Katty's House" segment, which sees blank-eyed beauties fussing about like real-life Barbies, is a nice lead-in to the "Fuccon Family" bits. The Fuccons, so you know, are an American businessman transferred to Tokyo, wife and kid in tow. Thing is, the roles are played entirely by department store mannequins, and the dialogue is just insane. The director and producer will be on hand, so ask them what the hell's going on. Maybe they'll know.

Take the Metro

The next night, Friday, July 27, at midnight, it's lucha libre time. Sure, Santo: Le Trésor de Moctezuma is in Spanish with French subtitles, but whatever. Subtle nuance isn't really an issue when you're talking about Santo, the iconic overlord of Mexican superhero wrestlers. Also a pensive scientist, vampire hunter and suave ladies' man, Santo adds secret agent to his CV as he tackles Chinese triad baddies amid Aztec ruins. What a guy!

Saturday, July 28, at 7:15 p.m. is when Millennium Actress hits the screen. This is the latest anime from Satoshi Kon, who shot into the stratosphere with his brilliant psychological thriller Perfect Blue some years back. Like that film, Actress blurs the line between reality and delusion as it explores the life of a film actress whose career spans the last century. A mysterious and beautiful meditation on life, love and the cinema, this is what the term "animation for adults" means.

Topping that, though, is Metropolis, which debuts on Sunday, July 29 at 2:30 p.m. Based on the late-'40s manga by the grand old man of the genre, Osamu Tezuka (Astro Boy etc.), which was in turn a tribute to Fritz Lang's film of the same title, this is a candy-coloured echo of the German silent classic. That it's scripted by Akira's Katsuhiro Otomo can't hurt, but the strongest selling point is the magnificent, ornate and highly finessed design. Unquestionably a masterpiece of Japanese animation--don't miss it.

Guns, gore and rock 'n' roll

Monday, July 30, at 7 p.m., we get Joint Security Area from Korea. Initially a politically charged thriller, it quickly becomes a deeply tragic exploration of the brutal division between North and South Korea as a very human friendship between border guards from either sides is destroyed by the inhuman systems behind them.

Right after that, at 9 p.m., Wild Zero finally screens in Montreal. Guaranteed cult classic material, this freaky little number stars Japanese punk rockers Guitar Wolf and showcases many of their Ramones-y hits. UFOs zip around, zombies gnaw on intestines and fall in love, drugged-up gangsters prance around in hot pants and blow each other's heads off in graphic detail, GW groupie Ace falls in love with an unusual young woman and the impassive GW themselves, the calms at the eye of the storm, just sorta tool around in their dope rides, comb their hair, guzzle beer, shoot zombies occasionally and yell "Rock 'n' roll!" for no real reason. Totally fucking ridiculous fun, dig.

Finally, it's time to announce the "to be announced" stuff. Monday, July 30, at 3 p.m., Boogie Pop Phantom returns. The next day, Tuesday, July 31, sees Millennium Actress at 1 p.m., the lush and rambunctious kiddie fantasy flick Sakuya at 3 p.m. and Joint Security Area at 5 p.m. The closing film, at 9:30 p.m., is Session 9, a horror number from the States that, frighteningly enough, places the irritating David Caruso in the lead. Regardless, word is that it's pretty scary stuff, and besides, the closing awards ceremony is part and parcel. Come down and find out who came out on top of what's proven to be yet another excellent year for Fantasia.

Fantasia runs till Tuesday, July 31. For complete schedules see repertory listings