Dark Feathers: Dance Of The Geisha Review

There’s shady goings on at a dance studio for photographer Kate (Crystal J. Huang) as her footloose partners keep perishing in mysterious circumstances including a jumper off a roof at the beginning of this mess of a boring film.

Kate’s dance instructor Amelia (the wonderful (genuine toe-tapper Karina Smirnoff) just so happens to be married to Remy (Gilles Marini) a smooth as sandpaper private investigator, who goes undercover as Kate’s newest collaborator by her side, just to see if he will be the next in line for that final dance.

Known agitator, black widow-like, tyrannical Kate sees Remy as a potential mark. She purposely even instigates a shoe-off between him and his wife after accompanying him to a store and claiming for herself the very pair of unique dance shoes that Amelia requested..

Yes you read that correctly, a shoe-off, it’s as ridiculous as it sounds, they dance it out in a face off wearing the opposing shoes. Amongst the inept murder mystery plot, are strands of an exploration into the traditional aristocratic samurai warrior legacy.

This sincere although transparent thread introduces an extended cameo by legendary Michael Madsen (Reservoir Dogs, Species) mostly appearing in a loosely fitted kimono and talking on the phone.
Kensai has been accepted into the heritage as a white samurai, really just a shady mob boss calling the shots.

We all know Michael knows his way around a samurai sword as seen in the whole bloody affair of Kill Bill,the actor is only here as a favour, or the money.

Crystal J. Huang co-directs alongside Nicolas Ryan, I’m sure the experienced filmmaking pair thought they were making an exciting, thrilling erotic story of unravelling themes of feminism and human gratification, with sweepingly choreographed dance scenes in-between.

The music-cues are weird throughout, playing out soap opera style with; da da dahhhhhh, complemented by sudden closeups.

Of note in this insomnia-inducing debacle, a striking Phoebe Ho as Princess Masako deserves accolades. Recently seen in Kevin Costner western opus Horizon An American Saga, Ho should have had more screen time, whilst Karina Smirnoff, seems a true emotive talent beyond the convoluted dialogue.

Icon Bruce Lee comes up as part of a scenario in the final stanza to no avail. At least, Dark Feathers is an ambitious indie achievement by just getting made.

★ 1/2

Mystery, Drama | Out Now on Digital | Dir. Crystal J.Huang | ICY Media | Crystal J.Huang, Michael Madsen, Gilles Marini, Karina Smirnoff, Lan Kay, Scott Lea, Kyosuke Mukai / 15

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