Dai-Nipponjin

Dai-Nipponjin Main Image

A wickedly deadpan spin on the pop image of giant Japanese superheroes like ULTRAMAN, from Director and star Hitoshi Matsumoto, one of Japan’s biggest comedians.

Daisato is the subject of a documentary that follows his banal daily routine. That is, until he prepares for his ‘job.’ As bolts of lightening tear the sky, Daisato is transformed into a 50 foot giant, sporting tight purple pants, tattoos and Mark Kermode’s hair, becoming DAI-NIPPONJIN.

DAINIPPONJIN (Big Japan Man) is a sixth-generation superhero defending Japan from outlandish ‘baddies,’ as Daisato calls them. These ridiculous villains include the freak with the comb-over and the revolting farting beast who lets rip with farts equalling that of twenty thousand humans. Daisato’s battles are broadcast at night to diminishing ratings and New Japan’s citizens bitterly complain about the noise and destruction of property he causes.

Daisato has his own problems, including an Alzheimer-afflicted grandfather who transforms into a giant in dirty underwear and an ex-wife and daughter who are embarrassed by his often cowardly exploits.

A whacked-out and imaginative filmmaking debut which hits upon social issues like the loss of the ‘Japanese spirit,’ the country’s diplomatic relations, the family unit and a rapidly aging population.

Screening Times

date
Thu 1st May
time
9:10PM

Information

country
Japan
year
2007
runtime
94 mins
language
Japanese (English subtitles)
director
Hitoshi Matsumoto
distributor
Revolver
format
35mm
 
imdb
DAI-NIPPONIJN
 
dainipponjin image