Aardvark is a burrowing mammal , and there is also smelly Aardvark donkey cheese, but the taste here in question is that of ‘Aardvark’ the film, directed by Kitao Sakurai. American audiences will get to view the film that is creating a buzz on the European festival circuit after getting rave reviews from critics and audiences at its Locarno premiere this summer. Gear up for the viewing at AFI FEST in Los Angeles.

‘Aardvark’ delves into the poignant relationship between Larry Lewis Jr, a a blind man trying to get back from the brink of alcoholism-induced self-destruction, and Darren Branch, his Jiu Jitsu instructor who believes in working hard, partying harder.

The film is based on real life protagonists who play themselves in a curious twist of life coeval with art. Larry Lewis Jr and Darren Branch re-live their lives for the camera, and in some parts, the film launches into the fictional in a bewildering mosaic of reel and real.

This is the debut directorial venture of Kitao Sakurai, who had earlier acted in ‘Dogma’ by Kevin Smith as a child. His resume also includes featuring in ‘You Wont Miss Me’, the award winning venture by Ry Russo-Young.

Kitao Sakurai was born in Japan, but relocated to America at the age of three, moving to Cleveland, Ohio with his family. His interest in filmmaking began as the acting bug in which he cast off his super shy real life persona. He took up the mantle of director of photography in New York, moving to the Big Apple as an 18 year old.

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