Ryûtarô Gan

A hidden gem has arrived in the form of a stage play performed in tribute to a pair of Japan’s greatest stars. On the 35th anniversary of his becoming an entertainer Matsudaira Ken chose to honor his mentor, the legendary superstar Katsu Shintaro by portraying Zatoichi, the Blind Swordsman in a play based on the original film on the same stage that Katsu had played the role 40 years before in a stage presentation. Not pleased with the direction that Zatoichi’s image had been taken in some productions, he has breathed new life into the character by following the image that Katsu Shintaro had created for his signature role.

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With a title like that... you just have to watch it.

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“Gunro no keifu” is known as “Tale of a Scarface.” It follows the life of Kumoro, a yakuza member, who recently is released from prison after serving 14 years for his Family. Upon his return he finds the various yakuza syndicates on the brink of war. Kumoro is, at first, removed from the dealings of the families by his Boss, but slowly he is drawn back into his old ways.

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The story begins with the two protagonists returning to Japan from Australia, where they were on vacation. News of a robbery comes in, and the two rush to the scene, neglecting their official duties. By chance, they become involved in a major crime, and are confronted by the culprit.

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The main hero of this film is the spirit of the once very popular wooden statuette called Billiken. It's a small god with a pointed head, a fat belly and a characteristic smile. When the casket in which the statuette was found is broken, the spirit of Billiken is free. After that he tries to fulfill the wishes of all those who had prayed to him, but it doesn't always works.

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Two childhood friends find themselves caught in the midst of an all-out turf war between rival factions in the yakuza-stained region of Kyushu.

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Older, wiser but still a wandering loner, the blind, peace-loving masseur Ichi seeks a peaceful life in a rural village. When he's caught in the middle of a power struggle between two rival Yakuza clans, his reputation as a deadly defender of the innocent is put to the ultimate test in a series of sword-slashing showdowns.

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