13 Assassins
Directed by Takashi Miike
Starring: Koji Yakusho, Goro Inagaki, Masachika Ichimura, and Mikijiro Hira
Release Date: April 29, 2011

The lethal dose of violence in 13 Assassins is heightened to such a degree of ferociousness, and yet never does it come off as an overwhelming force that serves as an impediment to our enjoyment. Rather, it plays out to resemble a macabre, lyrical meditation that we gawk at, despite the many severed limbs and decapitated bodies. Instead of being confined to the suffering grounds of 19th century feudal Japan, where bodies writhe in perpetual anguish in the dirt due to swords piercing into human flesh, 13 Assassins identifies with human elements like integrity, devotion, self-sacrifice, and loyalty that all samurais universally adhere to. This is not to say that the film bypasses all things representing violence. There is a battle scene that lasts the film’s final 50 minutes. It is astoundingly coherent and enthusiastic in showing its infatuation with bloody violence, all while maintaining an artistically composed countenance.

Back in early March rumors began to swirl that Quentin Tarantino‘s next movie would be a spaghetti western — glorious news for any fan of the director’s work familiar with his many influences. The word was that his Inglourious Basterds star Christoph Waltz would be starring, and that the cast might also feature the likes of star Franco Nero, Keith Carradine, and Treat Williams.

Now a picture has been sent out via Twitter of what looks like the first page of Tarantino’s script, apparently confirming that the title of the new movie will be Django Unchained. This was later confirmed by IndieWire who contacted Tarantino’s agency about the image.