Welcome
to a time long ago in a galaxy far, far away. However, instead of the Force, the
warriors of Karazawa follow the Bushido way. Rather than medieval Europe, this
fantasy world takes inspiration from feudal Japan. However, the southwestern
sounding horned creature is the reluctant hero of Steven Ayromlooi’s short film,
The Sun Devil and the Princess (trailer here), which screens as
part of the 2015 Comic Con International Independent Film Festival in San
Diego.
For
a short film, SD&P presents an
unusually richly realized fantasy realm (one that arguably borders on science
fiction, but the props consist of swords and daggers, not laser blasters). The
floating fortress of the evil Moon Queen is especially impressive. Our title
characters have left there in a hurry. To repay a debt of honor, Hirohawa, one
of the last surviving Sun Devils of the Ashikage clan has rescued Princess Kyoko,
the inspirational symbol of the resistance. Of course, the Moon Queen’s forces
are in hot pursuit, resulting in some impressive swordplay and martial arts on
Hirohawa’s part.
In
some ways, SD&P really does share
superficial parallels with what was known as Star Wars in 1977. There is indeed a “new hope” stemming from a
daring mission that happened immediately before the film started. There is also
a royal to save and a rebellion to inspire. Yet, the trappings are
distinctively its own and the fight choreography is terrific. In fact, Hirohawa
has one killer move that you have probably never seen before.
SD&P certainly looks
like a proof of concept for a proposed feature film, but Ayromlooi packs it
with enough action to give genre fans a warm, happy glow. His cast is also polished
and professional. While the Sun Devil makeup could perhaps use further
refinement, Evan Parke’s Hirohawa has big-screen presence and big-time action
chops. For the film’s spiritual side, Mandy Amano portrays Princess Kyoko, the Sun
Goddess worshipper, with impressive sincerity and conviction. Plus, cult movie aficionados
will get a further kick out of hearing Tony Todd as the voice of the malevolent
Baron.
