{"id":23478,"date":"2016-09-30T16:52:13","date_gmt":"2016-09-30T15:52:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/?p=23478"},"modified":"2016-09-30T16:52:13","modified_gmt":"2016-09-30T15:52:13","slug":"x-japan-documentary-we-are-x-from-the-producers-of-searching-for-sugar-man-celebrates-its-selection-to-the-60th-bfi-london-film-festival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2016\/09\/x-japan-documentary-we-are-x-from-the-producers-of-searching-for-sugar-man-celebrates-its-selection-to-the-60th-bfi-london-film-festival\/","title":{"rendered":"X Japan Documentary \u2018WE ARE X\u2019 from the producers of \u2018Searching for Sugar Man\u2019 celebrates its selection to the 60th BFI London Film Festival"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"we-are-x-band\"<\/h4>\n

Passion Pictures is delighted to announce that their critically acclaimed documentary ‘We Are X’, a new film about Japan’s most iconic rock band X JAPAN, will celebrate its UK Premiere at the 60th BFI London Film Festival on the 8th & 9th October 2016.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

‘We Are X’ was produced by the team behind the Academy Award-winning film, ‘Searching For Sugar Man’,\u00a0and ‘Listen To Me Marlon’, producer John Battsek (Passion Pictures) alongside renowned director,\u00a0Stephen Kijak (‘Stones In Exile’, ‘Scott Walker: 30 Century Man’, ‘Backstreet Boys: Show ’em What You\u2019re Made Of’).<\/p>\n

‘We Are X’ explores the evolution, groundbreaking history and hopeful future of the Land of the Rising Sun’s most legendary rock group. X JAPAN have sold 30 million singles and albums combined and continue to tour the world performing sold-out shows to massive arenas in 16 countries throughout the US and Europe.<\/p>\n

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“It’s overwhelming to see the full documentary We Are X, says the band\u2019s co-founder Yoshiki. “Stephen Kijak and John Battsek opened doors, which I shut and never intended to re-open. I didn’t realize that on the other side, dark memories could co-exist with a meaningful future. Audiences will be a witness to our history and future.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Director Stephen Kijak said:<\/p>\n

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\u201cTo borrow a phrase from my hero (and Yoshiki\u2019s) David Bowie \u2013 this film gave me \u201cthe gift of sound and vision.\u201d And I\u2019m talking Vision with a capital \u201cV\u201d. Visual Kei. Psychedelic Violence Crimes of Visual Shock. This band has a cinematic universe hardwired into their DNA and the only way to properly explain them or to express the scope of their musical, cultural (and visual) achievements was though the medium of the movies and it has been a supreme honour to be charged with bringing that story to the screen.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Producer John Battsek added:<\/p>\n

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\u201cWorking with Stephen to enable Yoshiki to reveal his deepest truths was creatively challenging and ultimately deeply rewarding. The trust Yoshiki placed in us is hugely appreciated by us both and we now look forward to watching audiences witness his emotional and dramatic story and that of his band X Japan.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

From X JAPAN’s massive success (over 30 million albums, singles and videos sold) and sold-out tours worldwide, We Are X chronicles the triumphs and tragedies of this legendary quintet who will never give up.”<\/p>\n

X JAPAN is: Yoshiki (drums\/piano\/composer), Toshi (vocals), Pata (guitar), Heath (bass), Sugizo(violin\/guitar) alongside their fallen brothers Hide (guitars, 1987-1997) and Taiji (1986-1992).<\/p>\n

\"we-are-x-poster\"<\/p>\n

We Are X will premiere at the 60th BFI London Film Festival on the following dates and will be released in cinemas in 2017:<\/p>\n