Sci Fi London 8: UK Premiere of 20th Century Boys: Chapter Two - The Last Hope May 4, 2009

Inspired by the T. Rex song of the same name, 20th Century Boys is a national phenomenon in Japan. The award-winning, 24-volume sci-fi fantasy manga series, created by Naoki Urasawa, has now been adapted into one of Japan's most expensive movies. Yukihiko Tsutsumi has turned the manga into a compelling three-part, live-action saga, with the first part proving to be one of Japan's biggest box office hits of 2008.

The story spans 50 years, starting in 1973, as young Kenji Endo and his friends make up stories about fights with super villains, and put them in their own 'Book of Prophecies'. Fast forward 30 years and they are thrown back together when one of the former friends dies mysteriously and an entire family from Kenji's local neighbourhood goes missing.

At the same time a bizarre religious cult is growing in popularity and appears to be connected to a strange chain of catastrophic events that unbelievably appear to be duplicating the imaginary events recorded in the 'Book of Prophecies'.

In part 2 the story moves on 15 years, giant robots, deadly viruses and secret bases all play a part. This is the sort of epic sci-fi that The Matrix promised to be, before it became all too conceptual.

Don't miss this opportunity to be at the first UK screening, and to catch up with the first part if you missed it on its limited theatrical release.

Official Website: http://www.sci-fi-london.com/festival/2009/programme/