Yoshinori Oota

Who’d have expected a Japanese TV host and comedian to turn to such poignant filmmaking? Winner of the Golden Lion, Fireworks has proven to be one of Takeshi Kitano’s best films: a masterpiece of sublime simplicity and staccato force, combating unsparing violence with bare sentimentality.

What happens when a Japanese yakuza ends up in L.A.? For that matter, what happens when Japanese phenomenon Takeshi Kitano (Zatôichi, Battle Royale) writes, directs and stars in an American gangster film? The results are classic Kitano: startling violence, deadpan humor, and unexpected emotion.