Source: Nikkatsu Corporation Official Site: 009-1.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to Emico Kawai
Shotaro Ishinomori’s 009-1 (??????????, Zero Zero Nain Wan) was first serialized in Weekly Manga Action magazine from 1967-1970. The manga has been adapted for both live action and anime television series and now comes to theaters with the live action feature film 009?1: THE END OF THE BEGINNING (009?1 ???????? THE END OF THE BEGINNING, 009?1 Zero Zero Kunoichi THE END OF THE BEGINNING). The movie is now playing in Japan, and will have its North American premiere on September 19th at the Arizona Underground Film Festival. The following 009?1: THE END OF THE BEGINNING press notes are courtesy of Nikkatsu... INTRODUCTION Marking the 75th anniversary of his birth, Shotaro Ishinomori’s classic spy heroine manga 009-1 has been adapted into a live-action motion picture for the first time ever! STORY In 20xx, the world is divided into two powers: the Western Block and the Eastern Block. Serving as a border zone between the two is “J-Country.” As such, it is used as a battleground for the two sides in their never-ending conflict. Mylene, an undercover agent from the western block, has been hiding out in J-Country. While investigating human trafficking, she meets a young man named Chris. Mylene finds herself attracted to Chris and after completing her mission and returning to headquarters she is unable to keep him out of her mind. “Recover Dr. Klein and see to her protection!” is the newest mission assigned to Mylene from the 00 agency. Abducted by the Eastern Block, Dr. Klein was in charge of the Faust Project and the technology that made Mylene into a cyborg. During the briefing for the mission she puzzles over a name that sparks memories buried within her cyborg mind. Breaking into the laboratory where the doctor is being held, Mylene is surprised to find Chris being used as an experimental guinea pig. Distracted, she is unable to complete her mission and agents of the east take Dr. Klein away. Failing in her mission, Mylene has her license revoked by the agency. Spurred by the increasing flashes of memories locked away with in her, she sets out on a mission of her own: to take back her memories and learn who she really is.
STAFF & CAST Director: Koichi Sakamoto (Born September 29, 1970) After graduating from high school, Sakamoto moved to the United States. There, he worked on the POWER RANGERS Series as an action director, director, and producer. Returning to Japan in 2009, he received acclaim for his Hollywood-trained action skills in MEGA MONSTER BATTLE ULTRA GALAXY: THE MOVIE (?????? ???????? THE MOVIE, Daikaiju Batoru Urutora Ginga Densetsu THE MOVIE). To date, he is the only person to have directed all three of the major Japanese live-action film franchises: the Kamen Rider Series, the Super Sentai Series, and the Ultraman Series. Original Author: Shotaro Ishinomori (January 25, 1938 - January 28, 1998) Born in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, Ishinomori was at the forefront of manga creation for forty-five years. He worked in various genres of manga and created a large body of work that still grips the imagination of fans the world over. After his untimely death, his MASKED RIDER (??????, Kamen Raidaa, 1971) and Cyborg 009 (????? 009, Saiboogu Zero-Zero-Nain, 1963) were remade to high acclaim. Other Ishinomori titles include KIKAIDA (?????????, Jinzoo Ningen Kikaidaa, 1972), INAZUMAN (?????, 1973), Hotel ????, Hoteru, 1987) and Japan, Inc.: Introduction to Japanese Economics (1988). Leading Actress: Mayuko Iwasa (Born February 24, 1987) The Tokyo born Iwase won the “Miss Magazine grand prix” and since then has been active as an actress and TV personality. 009?1: THE END OF THE BEGINNING is her first time to appear in an action film. Her filmography includes DEEP LOVE (2004) and MILOCRORZE - A LOVE STORY (??????, Mirokuroze, 2012).
CREDITS Japanese Theatrical Release: September 7, 2013 International Premiere: September 7, 2013 (L`Etrange Festival) North American Premiere: September 19, 2013 (Arizona Underground Film Festival) Running Time: 82 minutes
Cast Mylene: Mayuko Iwasa Chris: Minehiro Kinomoto Cyborg Woman: Nao Nagasawa Ryohei Abe Kazutoshi Yokoyama Sherin: Mao Ichimichi Shizuka Midorikawa Minami Tsukui Sanae Hitomi Ayumi Shimozono Hirotaro Honda Dr. Klein: Aya Sugimoto 020: Naoto Takenaka Staff Director: Koichi Sakamoto Original Story by: Shotaro Ishinomori Screenplay: Keiichi Hasegawa Producer: Kazuo Kato Cinematographer: Shuji Momose Action Director: Koichi Sakamoto Music: Yasuhiro Misawa Production: Zukun Lab in Collaboration with Toei Television Production Production Partnership: Toei Video, Toei Satellite Broadcasting, Toei AG Theatrical Distribution: Nikkatsu, T-Joy International: Nikkatsu ©2013 “009-1” F.P. ©ISHINOMORI PRODUCTION INC.