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We Are X (2017)

The startling story of X Japan, the most influential rock band you may have never heard of.

Film details

  • Director

    Stephen Kijak

  • Countries

    United Kingdom USA

  • Year

    2017

  • Genre

    Biopic

  • Type

    Film

  • Category

    Non Fiction

Introduction

Stephen Kijak’s film about Japanese glam metal rockers X Japan possesses a quality of the unreal. So much so that it wouldn’t be too difficult to believe it’s a rock spoof a la This Is Spinal Tap (1984). But it’s all true, which is what makes this film quite so incredible.

X Japan are their country’s most successful band, having sold over 30 million albums of a brand of heavy metal that somehow blends thrash, glam, death and soft metal into one intoxicating brew that’s adored by their hordes of fervent fans. They also established the ‘visual kei’ look, which combines outlandish, manga-esque sci-fi outfits with heavy make-up and extravagantly sculpted hair. It’s a gloriously confrontational look whose influence has spread far beyond Japan.

They split at the height of their success in the late 1990s, but with word that they were planning a reunion concert, Kijak set about documenting the band’s tumultuous history, from their early days to their typically over-the-top show at Madison Square Garden.

Cast & Credits

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