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Tarantino, Miike Team Up Again | November 20, 2006 |
 Quentin Tarantino (43) is to have a cameo role in the new movie by Miike Takashi (46). A hugely prolific director with 34 movies in the last 11 years, Miike has tried his hand at comedy, violence and horror. For his latest project, "Sukiyaki Western Django", he is turning for inspiration to the 'spaghetti westerns' of the 1960s, with Franco Nero's "Django" (1966) being one of the most influential. Tarantino, whose role is described simply as a 'mystery man', will be in Japan later this month to film his scenes. Filming began at the Syonai Eigamura open set in Yamagata Prefecture at the weekend. The movie stars Itoh Hideaki (31) and, borrowing heavily from old Japanese history, involves a rivalry between the "Genji Gang" and the "Heike Gang". The Japanese cast members, including "Memoirs of a Geisha" star Momoi Kaori, Sato Koji and Kimura Yoshino, spent two months in intensive language training to handle the script, which is all in English. The theme song, "Sasurai no Jango", is sung by veteran enka star Kitajima Saburo (70). Miike recently had a guest appearance in "Hostel", the splatter movie produced by Tarantino, who has heavily influenced his work. "I wanted Tarantino to be in this project as I see him as the 'anti-Hollywood', someone who's trying to change Hollywood," he said. Django is scheduled to open in the autumn of 2007 and is sure to feature in film festivals worldwide.
• Another U.S.-Japan tie up is between hip hop star Kanye West (29) and the 5-man unit Teriyaki Boyz, led by fashion leader Nigo (35). West is due to visit Japan later this month to take part in an event organized by fashion brand Fendi and produced by Nigo. West will be performing and will feature the new song "I Still Love H.E.R.", though the single isn't due for release till January 24. He first met Nigo three years ago on his maiden visit to Japan and was originally supposed to take part in last year's Boyz debut album, "Beef or Chicken". That plan fell through due mainly to West's rapid success.
• Up and coming actress Mimura (22) announced that she married conductor Kim Seikyo (36) on November 15. Sources say the couple are already living together in Tokyo. Kim is decribed as the new Ozawa Seiji in classical music circles. The couple met on the set of last year's movie "Kono Mune Ippai no Ai wo", in which Mimura played a violinist and Kim a conductor.
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