X JAPAN - Preview Trailer For We Are X Documentary Released
March 12, 2016, 8 years ago
The award-winning, new documentary on the Japanese rock group X Japan titled We Are X--from Passion Pictures--has been accepted to the SXSW Film Festival in Austin, TX. An official preview clip for the documentary can be viewed below:
Passion Pictures recently announced three screenings as part of the SXSW Film Festival's 24 Beats Per Second which showcases the sounds, culture and influence of music and musicians with an emphasis on documentary and is open to both music and film badge holders.
The three screenings of We Are X at SXSW 2016 include:
Friday – March 11th (6:30 PM) – Satellite Venue: Marchesa
Wednesday – March 16th (10:45 AM) – Topfer Theatre at Zach
Friday – March 18th (5:30 PM) – Paramount Theatre
On Friday, March 18th at 7:15 PM immediately following the We Are X screening at the Paramount Theatre, Yoshiki--songwriter, drummer, classically-trained pianist and the creative force of X Japan will perform classical versions of X Japan's song with a string quartet live on stage. Tickets for Yoshiki's 7:15 PM performance are available in advance at this location and at the Paramount Theatre box office.
We Are X was produced by two-time Academy Award winner John Battsek (Searching For Sugarman, Listen To Me Marlon) and directed by Stephen Kijak (Stones In Exile, Scott Walker: 30th Century Man) which won the Special Jury Award for "Best Editing"at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival Awards (Jan. 20) in Park City, UT.The film, edited by Mako Kamitsuna and John Maringuoin and assisted by June Okada, earned rousing ovations during its six Sundance screenings throughout the week.
We Are X explores the evolution, groundbreaking history and hopeful future of the land of the rising sun's most legendary rock group. From X Japan's massive success (over 30 million albums, singles and videos sold) and sold-out tours worldwide, We Are X chronicles the triumphs and tragedies of this legendary quintet who will never give up and continue to tour the world performing sold-out shows to massive arenas in 16 countries throughout the US and Europe.
Following the world premiere screening Sundance, Yoshiki - songwriter, drummer, classically-trained pianist and the creative leader of X Japan - stated, "The dark doors I had closed from my past became an entrance to the future. If there wasn't music and the band members would not have been there, it's clear I would not be here today."
During Sundance week, Yoshiki thrilled audiences performing at live venues including the official Sundance Festival Base Camp and the ASCAP Cafe playing classical versions of X Japan's songs with a string quartet.Following the We Are X film premiere, Chef Dance hosted a dinner honoring the film prepared by Los Angeles-based chef Louis Tikaram (of EP & LP). The Chef Dance dinner and party featured guests including actors Octavia Spencer, Donovan Leitch and Julliette Lewis along with singers Josh Groban and Keb' Mo alongside industry luminaries.DJ/Producer Balthazar Getty and EDM pioneer DJ Paul Oakenfold entertained guests for the official after party.
Japan's most iconic rock band, X Japan initially split up in 1997 after playing their fifth New Year's Eve show at the 55,000-capacity Tokyo Dome;theyhave now sold out the Tokyo Dome a record 18 times. The group reformed in 2007 and have released three singles: "I.V." in 2008, "Jade" in 2011 and "Born To Be Free" in late 2015. They've been touring worldwide ever since and in October 2014, the group performed their debut Madison Square Garden show in New York before announcing the new album and We Are X film releases slated for 2016.
X Japan are currently laying down tracks in a Los Angeles studio for their as-yet-untitled album, which is due for a worldwide release in late 2016. A brief clip from We Are X can be seen below.