Tokyo
Drifter
(Tokyo Nagaremono)
1966
Featuring all the action
and snappy suits expected from a classic Yakuza
(Japanese mafia) film, Tokyo Drifter was released
when this genre was a staple of the Japanese
cinema scene. Tetsu (the ultra-cool Tetsuya
Watari) is a loyal Yakuza member trying to
turn legit. His boss has disbanded the clan
but a rival faction is trying to take their
demise further and soon Tetsu is marked for
death. Fleeing Tokyo, Tetsu drifts from one
so-called safe haven to another, hounded all
the way. Finally, he's had enough and Tetsu
returns to Tokyo for a showdown. For those
who enjoy early Japanese cinema, action films
or just want to see where Quentin Tarantino
found his inspiration, you can't go wrong with
this flick. Enjoy!
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Branded
to Kill
(Koroshi no Rakuin)
1967
The black-and-white filming
takes nothing away from the eccentric ideas,
camera techniques and stylish visuals employed
in Branded to Kill. Symbolic of the director's "Seijun-art",
Branded to Kill portrays the lives of assassins
who take to the streets in a deadly battle
for the number one spot. Goro Hanada is one
of these killers living in fear of the changing
rankings of the assassins around him. The suspense
is heightened by a mysterious couple while
a beast-like sex scene provides a comic diversion
and adds to the film's originality. Watching
an assassin reach ecstasy by the mere smell
of rice being cooked is truly an intersting
moment! |
Youth
of the Beast
(Yaju no Seishun)
1963
Starring Jo Shishido, Youth
of the Beast tells the tale of rival Yakuza
clans and Jo's involvement with both. The Nomoto-Kogyo
clan specialises in running brothels and money-lending
businesses. Jo, having his abilities as a dogfighter
recognised, becomes a member. However he is
also on the payroll of a rival group, receiving
money to provide inside information about Nomoto-Gogyo.
Jo's activities escalate the rivalry between
the two clans and his playing-off of one crime
boss against another begins to unravel. Youth
of the Beast reveals what has become the norm
for today's Yakuza culture; attempting to hide
dirty dealings behind a clean corporate image. |
