Last year's NOW Magazine Audience Choice Award winner at Reel Asian was Fish Story, the multi-threaded story of a fictional 1970s Japanese punk rock band whose song saves the world in 2012.  Now, Reel Asian is pleased to be co-presenting a concert film from a REAL Japanese punk rock band at this year's Canadian Music Week Film Festival.  Tickets are available from The Royal (608 College St @ Clinton) for $10. A CMW wristband will get you in for free.  This is Reel Asian's first co-presentation of 2010 and our first ever with CMW.  Many thanks to CMWFF programmer Todd Brown, who has also been on Reel Asian's programming committee.

At 3:00 PM on Saturday, March 13, CMWFF will screen the international premiere of Last Heaven 031011, the last concert film from the acclaimed Thee Michelle Gun Elephant. From 1991 until 2003, Thee Michelle Gun Elephant were one of the greatest bands on the planet. Absolutely massive stars in their native Japan, the band built a loyal following with their brand of punk blues.

Never before seen outside of Japan, the film captures the band in 2003 at the height of their powers, and is as close to being at one of their concerts as you'll ever get.  With the sudden passing of guitarist Futoshi Abe in 2009, any chance of a reunion is gone forever, so this is the last chance for fans to see them, in a way they would want to be remembered.  The film, directed by Shuichi Banba, is a tribute to Abe and is presented without subtitles in the band's native Japanese. Whether you speak their language or not, the raw power of their music comes through loud and clear.

Michelle Gun Elephant Thee Movie – Last Heaven 031011
Shuichi Banba | Japan 2003 | 119min
$10 | 3:00 PM | The Royal | 608 College Street | Free with CMW wristband
Details at CMW's event page | Official site