Tokyo Pop

Directed by Fran Rubel Kuzui

Release Year: 1988
Running time: 99
Country: USA, Japan
Language: English and Japanese with English subtitles
Genres: Comedy
Subjects: Film Studies, Music
$9.99 - Classroom Rights
MSRP: $29.95
$349.00 - With PPR
$499.00 - With DSL
$499.00 - With DSL and PPR
MSRP: $599.00
Screening Request
Directed by: Fran Rubel Kuzui

Bleach-blonde wannabe rocker Wendy (Carrie Hamilton) is disillusioned with her life in New York City. After receiving a postcard from Japan saying “wish you were here,” she spontaneously hops on a plane to Tokyo with dreams of making it big as a singer. Quickly finding herself broke and a fish out of water, she moves into a youth hostel for gaijin (foreigners) and takes up work as a hostess at a karaoke bar. Just when she’s at her breaking point, she meets Hiro (Diamond Yukai), a rock ‘n’ roller whose band is looking for their big break. They form a romantic and musical connection and Hiro convinces Wendy to become their lead singer. Through a combination of hustle and luck, they stumble into their 15 minutes of fame, but Wendy soon comes to realize that being a gaijin rocker may be nothing more than a passing fad. An underseen gem of ‘80s American independent cinema by Fran Rubel Kuzui (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Tokyo Pop takes us on a breezy tour through bubble era Tokyo, replete with knowing nods to the city’s vibrant pop culture.

Reviews

“You don't have to be a fan of rock music to get a kick out of 'Tokyo Pop,' a wedding of American and Japanese youth cultures as seen through a fun-house mirror."

- Walter Goodman, New York Times
 

“Loping through downtown Tokyo with her seven-league stride, her shades on her nose, her white-blond hair tucked up under a leopard pillbox, Carrie Hamilton stalks through ‘Tokyo Pop’ straight into our hearts… A shrewd, amiable cross-cultural romance full of talent at every level.”

- Sheila Benson, Los Angeles Times
 

 “A sweet, cocky love-and-rock story.”

- Molly Haskell, Vogue
 

“Fueled by a lively, ever-present soundtrack, ‘Tokyo Pop’ unspools as an utterly endearing and romantic mixtape... a charming tale of two dreamers trying to find their own home on the range."

- Kevin Jagernauth, The Paylist 
 

“Endearing… cute, and light-hearted”

- Kei Ryan, Loud and Clear
 

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