We are very proud to present ARROW VIDEO CLUB, a new collaboration with the almighty lords of physical media Arrow Video; where we will present some of the best titles from their back catalogue on our lovely big screen! Expect a variety of cult classics, deep cuts, Arrow Video trailers and a raffle for Arrow Video blu-rays at every event!
The kids of Third Year Class-B Shiroiwa Junior High School are back on the big screen in the classic cult shocker adapted from the controversial novel by Koushun Takami.
Presenting an alternate dystopian vision of turn-of-the-millennium Japan, Battle Royale follows the 42 junior high school students selected to take part in the government's annual Battle Royale programme, established as an extreme method of addressing concerns about juvenile delinquency. Dispatched to a remote island, they are each given individual weapons (ranging from Uzis and machetes to pan lids and binoculars), food and water, and the order to go out and kill each other. Every player is fitted with an explosive collar around their neck, imposing a strict three-day time limit on the deadly games in which there can only be one survivor. Overseeing the carnage is 'Beat' Takeshi Kitano (Sonatine, Hana-bi, Zatoichi) as the teacher pushed to the edge by his unruly charges.
Playing like a turbo-charged hybrid of Lord of the Flies and The Most Dangerous Game, the final completed work by veteran yakuza-film director Kinji Fukasaku (Battles without Honor and Humanity, Graveyard of Honor) helped launch a new wave of appreciation for Asian cinema in the 21st century.
Think The Hunger Games on steroids!
All of our screenings are 18+ unless otherwise stated, and the film start time is as advertised above.
Content warning: Contains strong bloody violence, suicide, extreme emotional duress
