Screened as part of NZIFF 2007

Death Note + Death Note: The Last Name 2006

Desu nôto

Directed by Kaneko Shûsuke

Compulsively watchable two-part J-pop saga of supernatural vigilantism run amok, centring on a college student who possesses a notebook that allows him to kill anyone whose name he writes in it.

Japan In Japanese with English subtitles
267 minutes 35mm

Director

Screenplay

Oishi Tetsuya. Based on the manga by Oba and Obata

Photography

Takase Hiroshi

Editor

Yafune Yosuke

Music

Kawai Kenji

With

Fujiwara Tatsuya
,
Seto Asaka
,
Matsuyama Kenichi
,
Toda Erika
,
Fujimura Shunji

Elsewhere

This sprawling, compulsively watchable saga of supernatural vigilantism run amok boasts a concept so ingenious it's a wonder no one's done it before. Based on a manga sensation in its home country, Death Note, and its sequel Death Note: The Last Name, have translated smoothly to screen as a sublime, highly satisfying pair of serialised cinéma fantastique. An inspired J-pop amalgam of Dr Mabuse, MPD Psycho and Final Destination, the film stars Fujiwara Tatsuya as Light Yagami, a college student who comes into possession of a notebook that allows him to kill anyone simply by writing their name in it. Expect devious, razor-sharp plot twists galore as Light begins abusing his newfound brand of justice, playing a shrewdly devised cat-and-mouse game with the authorities and a brilliant mysterious nemesis named "L". Unlike other screenings around the world, you'll be able to enjoy the entire crazily addictive four and a half hours of this two-parter in one sitting; an intermission will be provided, but chances are you'll be so hooked you won't leave your seat.