Tokyo Pop (1988)
Australian Premiere - 4K Restoration
“The comic springboard of this satiric fable is the Americanization of Tokyo; but the real purpose is to showcase the talents of Carrie Hamilton…she reminds me of the ghost of Judy Garland as reincarnated in Liza Minnelli.” – Molly Haskell
“The combination of free-spiritedness, musical fellowship, bemused culture comedy, and kindred hearts is seamless” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine
With an effervescent lead in the late Carrie Hamilton, Buffy the Vampire Slayer director Fran Rubel Kuzui’s independent debut feature is ripe for rediscovery.
Tired of singing back-up, spunky New Yorker Wendy (Hamilton) impulsively follows a friend to Japan, where she hopes stardom awaits. Instead, Wendy finds herself a lonely foreigner, stuck working as a hostess. Her fortunes change, however, when she forms a professional and romantic connection with fellow wannabe rock singer Hiro (Diamond Yukai).
Having fallen into relative obscurity in the years since its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, Tokyo Pop was restored in 4K by IndieCollect in 2023 with contributions from Hamilton’s mother Carol Burnett as well as Dolly Parton through the Jane Fonda Fund for Women Directors.
Introduced by Angelica Waite at Ritz Cinemas and by Magic Steven at Lido Cinemas.
Rating
M
Duration
99 min
Country
Japan, United States
Language
Japanese and English (English Subtitles)
Cast
Carrie Hamilton, Yutaka Tadokoro (Diamond Yukai)
Director
Fran Rubel Kuzui
