The new 4K restoration was funded by Dolly Parton and Carrie Hamilton's mother Carol Burnett through IndieCollect's Jane Fonda Fund for Women Directors.
Bleach-blonde rocker Wendy (Carrie Hamilton, Fame) is disillusioned with her life in New York City. After receiving a postcard from Japan saying “wish you were here,” she spontaneously hops on a plane to Tokyo with dreams of making it big as a singer. Quickly finding herself broke and lost in translation, she moves into a youth hostel for gaijin (foreigners) and takes up work as a hostess at a karaoke bar.
Just when she’s at her breaking point, she meets Hiro (played by real life Japanese rock star Diamond Yukai, also seen in Lost in Translation), a rock ‘n’ roller whose band is looking for their big break. A largely forgotten gem of ‘80s American independent cinema by Fran Rubel Kuzui (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Tokyo Pop takes us on a breezy tour through bubble era Tokyo, replete with tongue-in-cheek nods to the city’s American-influence pop culture, and — courtesy its two young stars — an irresistible verve and charm.
“You don't have to be a fan of rock music to get a kick out of Tokyo Pop, a wedding of American and Japanese youth cultures as seen through a fun-house mirror.”
– The New York Times
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