Tetsuo: The Iron Man

The Iron Man Cometh

“As surreally weird as Eraserhead and as intense as a novocain-less tooth extraction.”
— Richard Harrington, Washington Post

“Hyperkinetic.”
— Stephen Holden, New York Times

“Gorgeously deranged cinema.”
— William Gibson, author and the “father of cyber-punk fiction”

From director Shinya Tsukamoto (Vital, A Snake of June) – whose stylistic and explosive science-fiction cinema has been likened to the work of David Lynch and David Cronenberg – comes the re-release of Tetsuo: The Iron Man, the film that caused a cyber-cult sensation.

A cinematic showcase like you’ve never experienced – with digitally enhanced sound, all-new special features and special slipcase packaging – Tetsuo: The Iron Man will be in stores June 28th on Tartan Video’s Asia Extreme label.

Somewhere between a modern-day nightmare and a techno-fetishist's ultimate fantasy, a young man gradually mutates into a metal being. A surreal black-and-white journey into a dark and disturbing world where self-inflicted body transformations and post-human women form the fabric of a strange new reality, Tetsuo: The Iron Man molds explosive violence, bizarre sexual imagery and jet-black humor.

2005 is quickly turning into Shinya Tsukamoto’s breakout year in the U.S. Known to fans as the ultimate cyber-punk director, his voyeuristic tale A Snake of June recently hit DVD shelves. In addition to the re-release of Tetsuo: The Iron Man, Tartan Video also plans to re-release Tetsuo II: Body Hammer and Tokyo Fist, both with all-new enhanced presentations and special features. Tartan Films will release Tsukamoto’s acclaimed film Vital in theaters later this year.

Japanese, with English and Spanish subtitles, Tetsuo: The Iron Man is presented in anamorphic widescreen, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and DTS Surround Sound 5.1. Aspect Ratio is 1.33:1. Special DVD features include director’s interview; a sneak peak at Tsukamoto’s other upcoming films and DVDs; and trailers of Tartan Asia Extreme’s upcoming releases. Special features are subject to change.

All releases on the Asia Extreme label are supported by broad-based and multi-faceted consumer advertising campaigns; a comprehensive online viral marketing campaign; and a public relations push to English-, Spanish- and Asian-language media.

Tartan Video’s Asia Extreme is a premiere collection of stylish international cinema from the proven Asian horror genre which shocks, scares and astonishes in equal measure. In the U.K., Tartan has sold over $50 million of Asian product making it Britain’s leading independent film genre.

Hamish McAlpine, founder of Tartan Films – which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year in the U.K. – launched Tartan U.S.A. in 2004 with an eclectic and controversial slate of films from established auteurs and up-and-coming filmmakers. Recent Tartan film releases include Catherine Breillat’s controversial Anatomy of Hell, the sincerely creepy A Tale of Two Sisters and the 2004 Cannes Grand Jury Prize-winner Oldboy, directed by Park Chanwook. Upcoming releases include Gregg Araki’s critically acclaimed Mysterious Skin and Michael Winterbottom’s highly controversial 9 Songs. Tartan Video is distributed exclusively by TLA Releasing in the U.S. and CHV Communications in Canada. For more information, visit www.TartanVideoUSA.com.

Tetsuo: The Iron Man
Tartan Video
Genre: Science-Fiction/Foreign
Rating: Not Rated
Language: Japanese (English & Spanish Subtitles)
Running Time: Approx. 67 Minutes (Plus Special Features)