Film About An All-Girl Rock And Roll Band A Favorite At International Film Festivals And Features Soundtrack By Ex-Smashing Pumpkins Guitarist
San Francisco, CA, April 12, 2007 – VIZ Pictures, an affiliate of VIZ Media LLC that focuses on Japanese live-action film distribution, has announced the DVD release of the critically acclaimed rock and roll film LINDA LINDA LINDA on May 8, 2007. The film will be distributed by VIZ Media, a leading U.S. publisher of Japanese animation and manga.
Directed by Nobuhiro Yamashita, LINDA LINDA LINDA depicts the musical and personal dramas of an all-girl high school rock band and has played to critical acclaim at more than 40 major international film festivals. The film notably offers a soundtrack by ex-Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha and a cameo by punk rock legends The Ramones. VIZ Pictures recently screened the film theatrically in several major cities including New York, Portland, Chicago, Seattle, Atlanta, Boston, and San Francisco. The DVD release includes a new audio commentary by noted film critic and Japanese pop culture journalist Patrick Macias.
LINDA LINDA LINDA was originally released in 2005 and follows an all-girl high school rock band after an untimely break-up. Only three days before their high school festival, guitarist Kei (Yu Kashii), drummer Kyoto (Aki Maeda of Battle Royale), and bassist Nozumi (Shiori Sekine) must recruit a new lead vocalist for their band. They choose an unlikely Korean exchange student Son (Doona Bae of Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance), even though her comprehension of Japanese is a bit rough! It’s a race against time as the group struggles to learn three tunes for the festival’s rock concert — including a classic ’80s punk-pop song by the famous Japanese group The Blue Hearts called “Linda Linda.”
“We’re excited to finally bring LINDA LINDA LINDA to domestic audiences on DVD,” says Manami Iiboshi, director of marketing of VIZ Pictures. “This unique film about the power of youth mixes high school drama and rock and roll and we look forward to it finding a dedicated domestic niche with music, anime and film fans. The notable soundtrack serves as an eclectic backdrop to the story of friendship and musical camaraderie, which helps the film to deliver a poignant and sometimes comedic slice of adolescence, which everyone can relate to. ”
About VIZ Pictures, Inc.
Based in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Pictures, Inc. distributes Japanese live-action films and DVDs, with particular focus on Japanese “kawaii (cute) and cool” pop culture. VIZ Pictures approaches each film release from a J-pop fan’s point of view. VIZ Pictures titles include HULA GIRLS, TRAIN MAN: DENSHA OTOKO, LINDA LINDA LINDA, THE TASTE OF TEA, and PING PONG. The company will continue to offer the most entertaining live action motion pictures straight from the “Kingdom of Pop” for audiences of all ages in North America. VIZ Pictures, Inc. is an affiliate of VIZ Media, LLC, the San Francisco-based leading U.S. publisher of Japanese manga (comics) and merchandise licensor of Japanese animation such as the popular “NARUTO” animated TV series.
© 2006 VIZ Pictures, Inc
About VIZ Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), is one of the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the field of manga publishing, animation and entertainment licensing of Japanese content. Owned by three of Japan’s largest creators and licensors of manga and animation, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan Production Co., Ltd. (ShoPro Japan), VIZ Media is a leader in the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking audiences in North America and a global licensor of Japanese manga and animation. The company offers an integrated product line including, magazines such as SHONEN JUMP and SHOJO BEAT, graphic novels, videos, DVDs, audio soundtracks and develops and markets animated entertainment from initial production, television placement and distribution, to merchandise licensing and promotions for audiences and consumers of all ages. Contact VIZ Media at 295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133; Phone (415) 546-7073; Fax (415) 546-7086; and web site at www.VIZ.com.
