Fresh on the heels of acquiring worldwide film rights to its hit manga series, Lament of the Lamb, a gut-wrenching horror story of a young man who shockingly discovers he may be the last in a bloodline of vampires, TOKYOPOP has chosen the property to launch the company's first foray into independent film production. Currently in development, the Lament of the Lamb film venture has landed a coveted "In The Spotlight" position at this year's 19th Annual Tokyo International Film Festival. Ranked as one of the world's largest film festivals and Japan's only officially approved international film gathering, the 2006 Tokyo International Film Festival will be held in Tokyo from October 21 through October 29, 2006.
Created by Kei Toume and originally published in Japan by Gentosha, Lament of the Lamb follows the physical and mental torment of a man who discovers that he is cursed with a hereditary disease that makes him crave blood. A metaphor for teenage alienation, twisted sexual desire and insanity, Lament of the Lamb presents psychological horror at its best.
Stu Levy, TOKYOPOP CEO & Chief Creative Officer, is producing the film. "We are honored to be spotlighted at one of the world's most significant film festivals. I believe what impressed the committee most about Lament of the Lamb was the distinctive East-meets-West approach to our production," Levy stated. "We'll script the story in Hollywood, attach a Japanese director, cast in the West, and shoot in Eastern Europe. Clearly, this production represents what TOKYOPOP as a media company is all about, from its business model to its creative approach."
According to a statement from Tokyo International Film Festival Chairman, Tsuguhiko Kadokawa, "Co-productions with a wide range of countries have increased in number, not to mention a spate of Hollywood remakes, as a burgeoning cinematic diaspora transcends the confines of national and regional borders. At a time when Asia is basking in the glow of such unprecedented attention, the Tokyo International Film Festival continues to consolidate its status as a launch pad for such superb works."
While TOKYOPOP'S popular manga properties, Priest and Pet Shop of Horrors, have been recently acquired for film adaptation by Sony Screen Gems and Focus Features, respectively, Lament of the Lamb signals the company's first move into theatrical feature film production. TOKYOPOP's previous production credits include the TV series' Street Fury (G4), GTO (Showtime), Rave Master (The Cartoon Network) and Reign the Conqueror (The Cartoon Network and Showtime).
