GHOST IN THE SHELL - Film Release & Press Conference in PARIS

USPA NEWS - 'Ghost in the Shell' is a 2017 American science fiction action film based on the Japanese Manga of the same name by Masamune Shirow about the near future, when the vast majority of humans are augmented with cybernetics, enhancing various traits like vision, strength, and intelligence...

'Ghost in the Shell' is a 2017 American science fiction action film based on the Japanese Manga of the same name by Masamune Shirow about the near future, when the vast majority of humans are augmented with cybernetics, enhancing various traits like vision, strength, and intelligence.

Directed by : Rupert Sanders
Based on : Ghost in the Shell by Masamune Shirow
Screenplay by : Jamie Moss, William Wheeler, Ehren Kruger
Starring : Scarlett Johansson, Takeshi Kitano, Michael Pitt, Pilou Asbæk, Chin Han and Juliette Binoche.
Distributed by : Paramount Pictures
Release Dates : March 16, 2017 (Shinjuku), March 29, 2017 (France), March 31, 2017 (United States)
Running Time : 106 minutes

THE STORY

Set in the near future where the line between humans and robots is becoming blurred, the plot follows a woman, Mira Killian (Scarlett Johansson) who has her brain placed in a cyborg body to become the perfect soldier. Hanka Robotics, the world's leading developer of augmentative technology, establishes a secret project to develop a mechanical body, or 'shell', that can integrate a human brain rather than an AI. Over the objections of her designer, Dr. Ouelet (Juliette Binoche), Hanka CEO Cutter decides to train Killian as a counter-terrorism operative.

A year later, Killian has attained the rank of Major in the anti-terrorist bureau Section 9, working alongside operatives Batou (Pilou Asbæk) and Togusa (Chin Han ) under Chief Daisuke Aramaki (Takeshi Kitano ). Killian, who has been experiencing hallucinations that Ouelet dismisses as glitches, becomes increasingly bothered by how little she remembers about her past....

THE PRESS CONFERENCE

On March 22, 2017, at the BRISTOL Hotel in PARIS, was given a Press Conference where were attending the following: Rupert Sanders (Director), Scarlett Johansson, Juliette Binoche, Pilou Asbaek, Michael Pitt. Each one of them giving their side on their part and motivations being part of this science fiction action film, which is not so science fiction and perhaps could be real in a near future.

OUR REVIEW

The 1995 original 'Ghost in the Shell', directed by Mamoru Oshii and based on a Manga series by Masamune Shirow, was a Masterpiece. It was a challenging watch coming with questions like what is the nature of identity when the brain is souped up with cyber-implants and the soul is reduced to a series of electrical impulses ?

This live-action Hollywood remake canot afford to take the route of the film´s cult success coming later after being released. So, maybe this is why Rupert Sanders made the choice of Scarlett Johansson (a controversial piece of casting that drew accusations of 'whitewashing' a Japanese character), trying to please the non-Japanese audience.

The result may be a more conventional film, but it´s also a more accessible one. Anyway, the Danish actor Pilou Asbæk is a solid presence as the Major´s partner and the main selling point here is the film´s breathtaking visual impact with lots of references and Rupert Sanders paying tribute to the original film. Both take Hong Kong as inspiration...

Ruby BIRD
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Yasmina BEDDOU
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