Path of Blood

PATH OF BLOOD IS NOW AVAILABLE ON BLU RAY!!!  
https://www.amazon.com/Path-Blood-Blu-ray-Kenji-Kiuchi/dp/B07989T48G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1520377029&sr=8-1&keywords=path+of+blood+blu+ray
Japan, 1614. 
War is over. 
Masterless samurai displaced through defeat or reform wander the countryside as Ronin, seeking work where they can find it. Rumors tell of a mountain path, where the brave few can test their skills in battle and live or die by the sword. Yet, none who choose the path of blood ever return. Path of Blood is a cut paper samurai film set during the early years of the Tokugawa Shogunate.  Expect savvy swordsmen, deadly ninja, political intrigue, and gory mayhem!!!

OFFICIAL TRAILER
EXTRAS
http://www.ericpowerup.net/2011/04/path-of-blood-demon-at-crossroads-of.html

http://www.ericpowerup.net/2014/07/path-of-blood-videogame.html


ABOUT THE FILM
In 2010 I created a short film version of Path of Blood as a test to see if a samurai film could hold up in the medium of cut paper stop motion.  The short went on to screen at the Boston Film Festival, Fantastic Fest 2011, and gained considerable interest in the online community.  Since the test felt successful, I decided to devote the next 2+ years to creating a feature length version of the story!  Now, after much work, a few papercuts, and countless hours of animating, I have finished my film!

The feature length version of Path of Blood took things to a whole other level.  My animation skills were put to the test, as were my skills with blades, scissors, and paper.  I wanted the film to have a lush, true to life feel, as opposed to the cartoony nature of the short film version.  I spent several months cutting out the foliage, trees, buildings, and miscellaneous background details in order to give the film a lived in atmosphere.  Character designs were created in tandem, and I opted for a more realistic portrayal of the characters as well (albeit in my own style).  I am very happy with the final look of the film.
The budget
As the project was done on a super low budget, I had to animate and cut out the film entirely by myself.  Knowing I would have no assistance in the art department, I pushed myself as hard as I could to make the film feel like a larger production with an actual crew.  This meant taking the extra time to flesh out the tiny details, and focusing on shooting high quality animation.
The music
I was fortunate enough to be able to work with John Dixon and Sarah Luce, aka Many Birthdays, on the music for the film.  They were responsible for the music in the short film as well, and really rose to the occasion!  They have created an amazing sound scape for the film, using their own brand of auditory delights.  The music in the film feels evocative of 70s era chambara films, with a hint of spaghetti western, and a dose of psychedelia.  This is the type of stuff that you'll find yourself humming long after the picture ends.
The story
Path of Blood was made with the intention of feeling like a classic samurai film from the 60's or 70's if it was set in a paper world.  I found a talented group of Japanese speakers to provide the voice overs for the film.  I opted to have the film spoken in Japanese with English subtitles.  The voice actors blew me away with their talent!  Many of them were first timers too!  Sarah Luce translated my script into Japanese, which was an interesting process.  The final script ended up being a translation of a translation, since there were several instances where things needed to change to facilitate the way people would have spoken in feudal Japan.  Sarah noted that translating into 1600's era Japanese felt akin to translating a modern play into Shakespeare.  Quite a task!

BELOW YOU WILL FIND THE OFFICIAL POSTER AS WELL AS A SELECTION OF STILLS FROM THE FILM.  FEEL FREE TO GRAB THEM!  DROP ME AN EMAIL IF YOU WANT TO CHAT MORE ABOUT THE FILM. :D

Eric Power: clearfilms@gmail.com
OFFICIAL POSTERS


PRODUCTION STILLS