Synopsis
NISHIMURA Yoshihiro used to be a special effects man, in charge of special effects, gory ones in particular, that are indispensable in Japanese genre films. With his first feature movie Tokyo Gore Police (2008), however, he became famous overnight among the world gore film buffs. Along with IGUCHI Noboru (The Machine Girl), NISHIMURA now represents ‘Japanese New Gore.’ Vampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl (2009) is co-directed by him and TOMOMATSU Naoyuki, with smaller budget yet ample doses of signature NISHIMURA sentimentality. Monami, a vampire girl in high school, gives her love interest Mizushima Valentine’s Day chocolates laced with her blood. His girlfriend Keiko harbors jealousy against her and is ultimately killed for that. Keiko’s psychopath scientist father brings her back from the dead, as a Frankenstein girl. Now what? Gruesome confrontation between Vampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl, with their mutual beau stuck in the middle. If you’ve enjoyed Tokyo Gore Police, you’ll probably revel in the criss-crossing gores and comedies. Incidentally, Ju-on’s SHIMIZU Takashi plays the part of Chinese Professor, contemplating on his own filmmaking. Guess you’ll probably enjoy that, too. (KWON Yong Min)