DVD Review – Sake-Bomb (2013)
Sake-Bomb follows the journey of Naoto (Gaku Hamada), a factory worker on the brink of a big promotion. His mentor insists that he takes a leave of absence and tie up any loose ends before he commits the rest of his life towards crafting sake.
Naoto decides to fly to America in search of a missing loved one; his first stop is with his family from across the pond. His cousin Sebastian (Eugene Kim) thinks of himself as a minor internet celebrity. On his website his persona ‘FOB (Fresh off the Boat) Mother Fucker’ destroys Asian stereotypes through a series of online videos.
Sebastian is going through some relationship troubles of his own and when reunited with his naive cousin they find themselves on a road trip across the country where they find out that they aren’t all that different.
Sake-Bomb is a fresh exciting mixture of a fish out of water and the classic American road movie. The style is of a Japanese indie movie set amongst a San Francisco backdrop. The filmmakers throw together plenty of current trends like geeky cosplayers, poking fun at race awareness; Don’t Y’all Look-a-like?
Some parts of the movie are very well played and some of the characters in the latter half of the film are a little cringeworthy. The leading actors knock it out the park; this is Eugene Kim’s film 100%, Gaku Hamada is a great wing man, but it’s Kim who steals the film and captures our imagination. He has great on screen energy with most of the cast, whether he’s teaching life lessons to Naoto or is winding the ticket of his ex-girlfriend’s roommates. We get a little more depth from him when he is paired with Twilight actress Marlene Barnes who is a indie comic book writer who sofa surfs across the state pushing her books.
The UK release of the DVD features two Q&A sessions with director Junya Sakino, taking place at the Raindance Film Festival and the Terracotta Far East Film Festival. We’re also treated to trailers and a short film on the infamous porno Yellow Curry On White Rice as well trailers from the Third Window Films back catalogue.