The Most Terrible Time in My Life

KAIZO HAYASHI'S THE MOST TERRIBLE TIME IN MY LIFE OPENS AT CASTRO THEATER, SF ON MAY 5

April 14, 2000 - San Francisco-based Viz Films/Tidepoint Pictures are proud to announce the opening of Kaizo Hayashi's acclaimed Japanese crime caper THE MOST TERRIBLE TIME IN MY LIFE, at San Francisco's historic Castro Theater on May 5.

Previously a runaway hit at the San Francisco International Film Festival, this fast-paced and wildly entertaining homage to noir detective thrillers deftly combines high visual style and kicky humor with a serious look at the changing face of today's Japan. Highlighted by dazzling black and white cinematography and a hip jazz score, the film also boasts dynamic performances by Japanese cinema luminaries Masatoshi Nagase (MYSTERY TRAIN, COLD FEVER); Kaho Minami (ANGEL DUST); Shinya Tsukamoto (TETSUO, TOKYO FIST) and legendary Seijun Suzuki regular Jo Shishido.

Director Kaizo Hayashi is one of Japan's most popular and lauded contemporary filmmakers. His films, which include TO SLEEP SO AS TO DREAM; CIRCUS BOYS; ZIPANG and LOST ANGELS, have won numerous awards. THE MOST TERRIBLE TIME IN MY LIFE was so popular in Japan that it spawned two sequels, both of which have premiered at the San Francisco International Film Festival. He currently resides in Los Angeles, and is developing his English language project which will begin shooting in San Francisco next Summer.

THE MOST TERRIBLE TIME IN MY LIFE will run at the Castro through May 11, after which it will be seen at the UC Theater in Berkeley and the Rafael Film Center in Mill Valley. The film will begin playing theaters around the country in June.

Winner of the Silver Award at Orleans International Film Festival, France in 1995. Shown at San Francisco International Film Festival 1994 and Berlin International Film Festival 1995.

1993 / 35mm / 92mins / Dolby SR / B&W / Cinema Scope / NR / Japanese with English subtitles; a Viz Films/Tidepoint Pictures Release

Viz Films is a division of Viz Communications, the leading U.S. publisher of Japanese animation and comics. Viz Films teams up with the new San Francisco-based film company Tidepoint Pictures for Japanese live-action film distribution. THE MOST TERRIBLE TIME IN MY LIFE is the second Viz Films/Tidepoint Pictures release.