The Legend of the Stardust Brothers is one of my favorite cult films of all time. Originally a big flop in Japan when it was released in 1985, this colorful musical biopic that follows a fictional new-wave duo in 1980s-era Tokyo has slowly made a comeback, now touring the international circuit as a cult gem. It stars musicians Shingo Kubota and Kan Takagi, painting them as rival musicians in Tokyo who join forces to become pop stars. There are also monsters and special effects and surprisingly good songs ranging from punk to “retro kayลkyoku” (Showa Era Japanese pop). It’s difficult to categorize the film because it is so singular.
The son of manga genius Osamu Tezuka (Astroboy, Metropolis), director Macoto Tezkaโs visual style is masterful in his first feature. While Tezka was only 23 at the creation of the film, he was very well-connected because of his father’s success. Tezka includes a variety of his friends, many of them musicians and manga artists and not professional actors. This only adds to the eccentric camp of the film. Shot on 8mm, Stardust Brothers depicts a wild, unique subculture (the Japanese avant-garde new wave) at its apex.
If you’re curious about the aesthetic, I think these โ80s-era Japanese commercials from the Instagram account @nippon.tv are good examples of what youโre getting yourself into:
Stardust Brothers is a different, exciting level of weirdness. You can’t miss it. It’s a film that deserves a popular second life.
The Legend of the Stardust Brothers screens late tonight (midnight), this Sunday night, and next Thursday, June 6, at the 45th Seattle International Film Festival. Further details here. Check out The Stranger‘s complete SIFF guide here.
