"Nemesis" A masterpiece of B-grade SF action known only to those in the know! A unique world view created with a “future without a sense of future” and unique action scenes.

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2019.11.29Tetsuya Inagaki

A ``distorted masterpiece'' that emerged after the director was fired

While motivating the cast and staff, Pyun successfully completed filming the action-packed movie in eight weeks. However, the work did not turn out as he had expected. After the first rough cut was completed, Pyun was fired as director. He had had repeated conflicts with the producers over filming methods, and as a result he was unable to participate in the final cut. As a result, he was unable to use his own favorite music, and even though the film was shot in widescreen size, the producer, conscious of the TV broadcast, cut the angle of view to 4:3.

The structure has also changed significantly, and Pyun grumbles, ``It's become difficult to convey the story.'' However, I believe that it was precisely because of these circumstances that ``Nemesis'' could have become a masterpiece.

The story of "Nemesis" seems simple, but it's hard to understand. The main character, Alex, is working to thwart the cyborg organization's plot, but I get the impression that the story elements are not told well. Moreover, in the second half, gunfights continue in the jungle and in ruins, creating a unique atmosphere, as if the main character is lost in a labyrinth with no exit and is fighting in a dream, with his principles of action ambiguous. It becomes.

The producers cut out the elements that Pyun wanted to explain and made it into a series of unique action scenes, resulting in a distorted structure, which had the positive effect of giving the work its own unique worldview. I wonder if it was.

The charm of ``Nemesis'' certainly has a lot to do with the element of chance. However, it is also certain that the foundation for this was the passion and skill of Albert Pyun, a rare craftsman director. He developed multiple sclerosis in 2013, but his condition improved and he released a piece of work (not yet released in Japan) in 2018. It is reported that he is currently working on his latest work, and he has said, ``This will be my last work,'' but I hope he continues to release new works. This is because I believe that the greatest allies of movie fans are none other than expert directors like him.

Reference: “Nemesis” Blu-ray audio commentary

*Director Pyun's comments in the text are all quoted from the audio commentary included in the Blu-ray recording.

Interview and text: Tetsuya Inagaki

TV director. My personal goal is to realize a documentary project that depicts the obsessions of manga and movie creators. Programs he has directed in the past include ``The Godfather : The Man Who Revolutionized Manga'' (WOWOW), ``Takeshi's Birth: Master and Asakusa'' (NHK), ``Master and Disciple Story: The Encounter That Changed My Life'' [Masahiro Tanaka x Katsuya Nomura ] (NHK BS Premium).

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"Nemesis"

Blu-ray now on sale ¥6,800+tax

Publisher: Zeku/TC Entertainment

Distributor: TC Entertainment

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