Fantastic Fest 2011

Writer/Director Kitao Sakurai and Actor Larry L. Lewis, Jr. in attendance!

Kitao Sakurai’s debut feature AARDVARK is a thriller about a blind man whose curiosity draws him into a bizarre world of mixed martial arts, pillow humping, and murder.

Larry Lewis Jr., who plays himself in the film, lives in the small town of Cleveland Heights, Ohio. He is blind. He is also a recovering alcoholic. Larry doesn’t let his physical limitations interfere with his enjoyment of life. He holds down a regular job, gets around on his own, and likes to get involved in all kinds of adventures. While walking down the street, Larry’s curiosity is piqued by grunting and groaning noises coming from a Jiu-Jitsu studio. He befriends the instructor (Darren Branch) and becomes his student. As often seems the case with complete strangers they quickly become fast friends, Darren has a secret life that will provide Larry with more adventure —and mayhem— than he could ever possibly want.

AARDVARK is based, at least in part, on the life of lead actor Larry Lewis Jr. It’s hard to tell what aspects of the film are fact and/or fiction. This much is certain: Larry really is a blind ex-alcoholic who trains in mixed martial arts. AARDVARK presents Larry’s life as a journey from relative normalcy into the ugly underworld that lies beneath the surface of everyday life. These unexpected circumstances test Larry’s abilities to cope and expose the dark side of his personality that he tries so hard to control. (Rodney Perkins)