Bunraku is a 2010 martial-arts action film written and directed by Guy Moshe based on a story by Boaz Davidson. The film stars Josh Hartnett, Demi Moore, Woody Harrelson, Ron Perlman, Kevin McKidd, and Gackt and follows a young drifter in his quest for revenge. The title Bunraku is derived from a 400-year-old form of Japanese puppet theater, a style of storytelling that uses -tall puppets with highly detailed heads, each operated by several puppeteers who blend into the background wearing black robes and hoods. The classic tale is re-imagined in a world that mixes skewed reality with shadow-play fantasy. Its themes draw heavily on samurai and Western films. Bunraku premiered as an official selection of the Midnight Madness section at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival in Canada. A limited theatrical release was slated for September 2011. Plot In the aftermath of a global war, guns have been outlawed but people still fight, using blades and fists. Nicola the Woodcutter is the most powerful man east of the Atlantic, a shadowy crime boss who rules with an iron fist and nine assassins called the Killers. His right-hand man is Killer No. 2, a cold-hearted, smooth-talking murderer with a red hat and a deadly blade. Along with his killers is Nicola's love, Alexandra, a femme fatale with a secret past. The citizens live in fear of Nicola's gang and wait for the hero who can overthrow them. One night, a mysterious Drifter enters the Horseless Horseman Saloon and talks to the Bartender. He wants two things: a shot of whisky and a game of cards, but the only place in town, the Russian Roulette, controlled by Nicola, only accepts very rich players. Later, another stranger enters; a samurai named Yoshi. Yoshi wants to fulfill his dying father's wish by recovering a medallion that was stolen from their village. Armed with crossed destinies and incredible fighting skills and guided by the Bartender's wisdom, the two eventually join forces to bring down the corrupt reign of Nicola. After a string of altercations leading the Drifter and Yoshi to injure police officers and Nicola's goons, Killer No. 2 slays Yoshi's uncle and kidnaps his cousin Momoko to send her to Nicola's brothel. In retaliation, the Drifter, Yoshi, the Bartender and an army of freedom fighters invade Nicola's palace. As the Bartender rescues Momoko, he sees his long-lost love Alexandra, but she disappears amidst