Bunraku (film)

Bunraku is a 2010 martial arts action film directed by Guy Moshe. The film stars Josh Hartnett, Woody Harrelson, Ron Perlman, Demi Moore, and Gackt. It is notable for its visually distinctive style, which blends elements of various genres, including Western, samurai films, and video games, using predominantly stage-bound sets and vibrant colors.

The plot revolves around two strangers – a nameless drifter (Hartnett) and a young samurai named Yoshi (Gackt) – who arrive in a lawless town controlled by Nicola (Perlman) and his deadly gang. The drifter seeks revenge, while Yoshi seeks to fulfill his clan’s mission. Together, they join forces with a bartender named Alexandra (Moore) to overthrow Nicola and restore order to the town.

Bunraku utilizes a highly stylized aesthetic, eschewing traditional location shooting in favor of intricately designed sets reminiscent of pop-up books and theatrical stages. The action sequences are choreographed with a focus on visual impact and stylized movements, often drawing inspiration from Japanese Bunraku puppet theater, which lends the film its name.