What a film! What a film! What a film!!

I bought "Azumi" on dvd years ago as I am a big fan of Asian films and had quite a collection. I just decided to watch it again the other day and damn I loved it!!
It is the story of a bunch of orphan kids who live with a Samurai master on top of a mountain in complete isolation. They are raised as warrior assassins and when they reach puberty they leave the mountain in order to go kill all the evil warlords who wage war against each other. These kids' sole purpose in life is to fulfil their mission, that is what they live for and they die for.
I remember the first time I watched this film I got traumatized...it is a film that really plays with feelings but at the same time there is some kick-ass action and Aya Ueto the actress who plays Azumi is so beautiful!! I just can't get over the fact that she looks so tiny and angelic but is a fierce assassin who is capable of fighting like a true warrior!! It is like watching a doll fight!
Azumi you are officially my hero!! About time they gave us some female hero that combines femininity and great fighting skills!!

Azumi and her friends...when they found out the ultimate test was to slain each other!

 

Nachi

Nachi is Azumi's best friend and is one of the gang's best warrios. Unfortunately the Master's ultimate test orders the kids to pair up with whom they like the most and kill each other...this according to him is they key to become a true assassin, the ability of kill coldly without succumbing to emotions.
Unfortunately Nachi and Azumi are forced to fight each other and Nachi dies. Azumi gets traumatized by this and she keeps repeting his name during the whole length of the film (and even in Azumi 2).

Aya Ueto looks so innocent and gorgeous...yes, wait until she grabs that sword!!

 

My favourite character in Azumi is the mysterious man in white with the rose, Bijomaru Mogami (what a name!!). He is a total psycho, he is probably homosexual and has a very elegant but sinister presence that is guaranteed to charm you and make you feel extremely uneasy at the same time. His cruelty is beyond words...he is definitely the most stylish villain I have ever seen in a film!

Bijomaru Mogami

Azumi and Bijumaru have an amazing fight scene

I also bought on DVD Azumi 2. Very good film, but I wouldn't recommend watching it if one hasn't watched Azumi first, as the story continues directly from where it left off.

Death or Love? I still didn't understand why this subtitle

I still prefer the first film, but also the second part is good. There are some excellent fighting scenes and some really cool effect! A great addition to the cast is the famous Japanese schoolgirl with the metal ball from Kill Bill, Chiaki Kuriyama , who plays guess what ? A traitor and a villain!! But...she gets her arse kicked even this time!!!

Chiaki Kuriyama as Kozue in Azumi 2

Guys if you love Japanese action films, Azumi and Azumi 2 are not to be missed!! Epic!!!
Anyway here is the link to these filmS...not the best quality but you can watch them for free online...tell me what you think...and please if you do like them buy them on DVD, the industry and the artists need to be supported for their hardwork!!

AZUMI full film

 

 

 AZUMI 2- Death or Love

 full film

UK Unsigned showcase and documentary filming

About 10 days ago I went back to Neasden, at the Brent Media Centre for another great UK Unsigned showcase. I did some interviews for the documentary they are filming as UK Unsigned will celebrate 15 years next year.
I had a brilliant time, despite the fact that I was feeling really ill. I had a terrible cold and my head was clouded so I couldn't give the best of me as I normally would.
They told me people couldn't tell, but I certainly could. I normally am an explosive volcano, especially when I do what I love the most, like that in that case, where I feel like a fish in the sea, in my right element, which is music, acting and TV business.
Well hopefully next time I will be in top shape!
Anyway I discovered some new amazing talent: Natalie Chua, who was one of the first winners of the UK Unsigned competitions (and also youngest member as she was only 6 when she won back in 2002) and the amazing, incredible Bianca Gerald, who I am sure is going to be big star really soon!

Check out Natalie Chua's song "Angel"...when she performed this on stage, she was just perfect and she gave me shivers!! Amazing voice!

Natalie Chua

Bianca Gerald

 

Bianca Gerald was in my opinion the most talented and original of the new artists...she has the looks, the personality and the talent of a true STAR!! I really hope she takes over the world, she deserves it!! And the world deserves more good music and real talent...but I am afraid the masses' ears are not used to such refined talent...time to train them and spoon feed them  something beautiful and really arty!

Here are some photos from the event.


Interviewing Bianca Gerald

Interviewing my favourite girls, the amazing Fabsisters!

Talented and hard-working cameraman Luqman Stagg, always great to work with him



More interviews



My dear friend singer Alan John-Baptiste was also there!


 

Noisy Toyz video "Trail of Tears" finally released :)

Seriously! I can't believe this is the first blog I write in over one month.
Sorry about my absence, I have been away and just became an auntie of a beautiful baby boy!
I didn't spend much time on the computer lately. It hasn't been much of a summer for me this year, no vacation and no day in the sun, but I have been busy with so many things so one thing I can say of this summer is that it has been productive.
The video we filmed for the band Noisy Toyz last month has finally been released. Check it out!

 

I think it turned out pretty well, considering the band took care of everything: filming, editing, storyline and production. There are a few shots of me mingling with the crowd, dancing and messing with the violin, check them out.
The song is really good too...very atmospheric with some Nightwish influences. Gemma has an amazing voice, I foresee a bright future for her, she has got both the right looks and the talent.
We had a great time filming this video at a club in Croydon, just outside of London. It was a very hot summer day and we were sweating tons under the masks (and I was even fasting!), but it was a fun experience and a very good opportunity for networking with other artists.
Please enjoy the video, like and share it!