Skip to main content

Deep Dive: We Are X (2016)

Play Trailer

Film Lens

We Are X
We Are X is a documentary about the Japanese rock band X Japan, focusing on the life of its co-founder Yoshiki. Directed by Stephen Kijak, the film covers the band's history, their influence on Japanese music, and the personal struggles faced by Yoshiki, including the suicide of his father when he was ten years old. It also details the band's breakup in 1997 and their reunion in 2007, culminating in their performance at Madison Square Garden in 2014. The film features interviews with current band members and notable Western musicians such as Gene Simmons and Marilyn Manson. It addresses themes of pain and creativity, as well as Yoshiki's health issues and the deaths of band members hide and Taiji. The documentary received awards for editing and title design at film festivals, and its soundtrack achieved significant chart success in Japan and the UK.

Why Watch

  • •See Yoshiki's emotional story and musical evolution.
  • •Find out about X Japan's influence on visual kei culture.
  • •Meet the band members and their personal struggles.

Did You Know

•X Japan's first album entered the UK Albums Chart at number 27.
•Yoshiki was given a drum kit by his mother after his father's suicide at age 10.
•The film won the Sundance Film Festival Award for Best Editing in 2016.
•The soundtrack peaked at number 1 in the UK Rock & Metal Albums Chart.

Perfect For

Japanese rock music fansDocumentary enthusiastsFans of X Japan