Taking the genre to new lengths, Japan's Toei has unfurled "Exte," a horror pic about hair extensions that attack the women that wear them.
Pic, which is one of half-dozen titles lined up at Berlin by Toei, directed by Shion Sono ("Suicide Club"). It stars Chiaki Kuriyama, the chain-swinging schoolgirl from "Kill Bill."
Company has also unveiled "Sukeban Deka," (aka "Bad Girl Cop"), a remake of one of Fuji TV's biggest ever shows about a ferocious female cop, who goes off the deep end.
Directed by Kenta Fukasaku, who previously helmed splatterfest "Battle Royale II," pic also has "Kill Bill" overtones. Girl cop's weapon of choice is a metal yoyo on a chain.
Casting is expected to be a major draw in Japan and some other parts of Asia. Fuji and Toei have picked Matsuura Aya, the country's leading Internet diva.
Biggest title for Toei is "Yamato," a naval actioner that notched $35 million at the Japanese B.O.
Helmed by Junya Sato, "Yamato" marks the movie industry return of Haruki Kadokawa, a producer who was Japan's leading hitmaker for nearly two decades, until a drug arrest in 1993 and a subsequent battle with cancer nearly ended his career.
At Berlin, Toei is also screening Fukasuku's "Under the Same Moon" and "Memories of Tomorrow," which is exec produced by and stars Ken Watanabe.
Contact the Variety newsroom at
news@variety.com