Miike directs Tarantino

Two kings of cult are collaborating on Japanese western 'Sukiyaki Western: Django'.

Nov 20 2006

Crazy Takashi Miike eh? Japan's most eccentric director has shocked fans by announcing that's he's nearly finished work on his latest flick, 'Sukiyaki Western: Django'. Not only that, but the film has been shot in English and stars Quentin Tarantino.

Miike told press that although the film is set during the Genpei wars of the 12th century, it will be his homage to the spaghetti westerns of the 1960s.

He refused to reveal who Tarantino will play in the film, but the rest of the cast includes Japanese stars Kaori Momoi, Yusuke Iseye, Masanobu Ando and Hideaki Ito, many of whom had to take intensive courses in English to work on the film.

Speaking to Screen Daily, Miike explained that the production was operating as an 'open set', with locals allowed to view filming and appear as extras for a nominal fee. And regarding his reasons for shooting 'Sukiyaki', mad Miike said 'I want to make a film that will make audiences think 'Japanese are cool!',' little realising that everyone already does, mainly because of sushi and him.

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