Spirit of Independence Film Festival and Reel Steel present Battle Royale

Immediately gaining a cult status upon its release in the year 2000 and smashing its way into popular culture, Battle Royale tells the story of a group of high school students who are forced to fight to the death by a totalitarian government. Set loose on an island and told only one will leave alive, friendships are tested in the most grisly way imaginable.

Based on the 1999 novel of the same name by Koushun Takami - and featuring a scene-stealing performance from Japanese cinema legend 'Beat' Takeshi Kitano, as well as a star making turn from Chiaki Kuriyama (whose role inspired her character "Gogo" in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill) - originally banned from distribution in several countries, Battle Royale came to define extreme Asian cinema in the 21st Century.

This screening is presented by Reel Spirit - a collaboration between the Spirit of Independence Film Festival and Reel Steel - celebrating the 25th Anniversary of one of the most iconic Japanese films of all time.