Children Of The Dark

Drama/ 2008/ Japan

Regie: Junji Sakamoto (Aegis, FACE)

Drehbuch: Junji Sakamoto

Cast: Yosuke Eguchi (Silk, Synesthesia) , Aoi Miyazaki (Eureka, Synesthesia, NANA), Satoshi Tsumabuki (Dororo, Josee, The Tiger and The Fish)

Basierend auf dem Roman "Children of the Dark" von Yan Sogil (Blood and Bones)

Introduction :
In the darkest corners of Thailand, child prostitution and organ sales flourish. In order to save a child's life, another child's organ must be taken. An outraged Japanese journalist and a young, passionate Japanese NGO (Non-governmental Organization) staff attempt to save "children of the dark", from being consumed by arrogance and greed. However, the harsh realities of lice intervene.

Story:
Human life and the human heart are never supposed to be for sale. However, today, unchecked arrogance and greed permit both to be sold on the open market. Tragically, despite wide public acknowledgement, organ sales, child prostitution, and slavery continue to proliferate. Children of the Dark is a film that fearlessly tackles the ugly depths of the human heart, hurling the first, most damning stone at the core of Japanese society, and also the world. It is not a film that aspires to entertain its audiences. However, by exposing these problems to audiences worldwide, there is a hope taking steps to resolve them. The film unflinchingly portrays the tragic realities unfolding today and raises the consciousness of everyone who sees it. Director Sakamoto notes "The problems these children face are at the root of all problems in the world." He directs sincerely and powerfully with a talented multinational cast to bring these stark events to life.


Hier ein Trailer mit Englischen UT's


Hier die Offizielle Webseite



Quelle kfcc
Quelle shochikufilms

Sieht nach einem verdammt Interessanten Film aus...! Ich hoffe auf einen baldigen DVD VÖ Termin...!

Der Film wurde dieses Jahr vom Bangkok International Film Festival ausgeschlossen, als Grund wurde angegeben das der Film nicht in die Thai Gesellschaft passe, (mehr zum diesem Thema hier oder so etwas ähnliches war es...!

Es gibt auch schon eine erste Review zum Film von variety.com welche ich gleich als Zitat mit einfüge...:

Zitat:

Taking a head-on approach to subject matter few films dare to contemplate even from a distance, "Children of the Dark" is a compelling, disturbing thriller set in the twilight world of child prostitution in Thailand. In this adaptation of a novel by Korean-Japanese author Yan Sogil, helmer Junji Sakamoto's outrage is never in doubt, but his graphic depictions of abuse raise serious ethical questions about the use of child actors in such confrontational scenes. An iffy export proposition that will have censorship issues in many markets, the well-made pic has done steady biz in limited domestic release since Aug. 2. Originally sent out on just seven screens in Japan with a PG-12 rating, "Children" received a B.O. boost mid-September when Thai authorities demanded its withdrawal from the Bangkok Film Festival on the grounds that it did not "fit with Thai society." Media hoopla sparked long ticket queues and release subsequently expanded to as many as 102 screens. Appearances at the Karlovy Vary and Hawaii fests remain the film's only official offshore playdates thus far. Story tracks the trade through the eyes of Nanbu (Yosuke Eguchi), a middle-aged Japanese journalist stationed in Thailand. Chasing a story about a rich Japanese couple planning to bring their son to Bangkok for a life-saving transplant using illegally obtained organs, Nanbu comes into contact with fellow expat Keiko (Aoi Miyazaki), an idealistic young foreign-aid worker helping at a child welfare center run by fiercely committed local woman Napapom (Prima Ratchata). Info gathered from poor local families and Nanbu's shady contacts leads them to a brothel in the northern province of Chiang Rai, which supplies children for sex tourists and as "donors" of body parts. Pointedly, the establishment's pedophile customers are drawn from a wide range of nationalities. The vision of life inside the brothel is heartbreaking. Victims are locked in filthy rooms and let out only when clients arrive; those with AIDS are thrown into garbage trucks while still alive. Hardest to watch are scenes of children being placed in the same shot as clients in the lead-up to and aftermath of sexual encounters. These non-pornographic images are undeniably powerful, but one cannot help but worry about their lasting effects on the young performers. Swiftly paced throughout its long duration, the densely plotted tale builds to a suspenseful climax. The only really jarring notes are the overplaying of Keiko's naivete to the point of annoyance and a needlessly sensational final twist. With strong perfs across the board and unfussy camerawork instilling documentary-like immediacy, pic has its troublesome aspects but largely succeeds in its primary aim of speaking loudly and fiercely about unspeakable realities. Tech credits are polished.

Leider konnte ich bisher noch kein Datum zu einer DVD VÖ finden, hoffe jedoch das es nicht mehr allzu lange dauert...!