Kawaki

Golden youth. Golden police. Golden mud. Golden comedy. Filthy to the core, but well made. Brutal fascination with death. That's probably why everyone loved Kanako. She sought her out sadistically. Existence must have been pretty unbearable. Despite the brutality and a certain, almost comedic, excessiveness, I think it's a film that has something to say and is essentially a contemporary Japanese critique of society (just take a moment to read a Japanese newspaper and its crime section and you'll get it). You can smell the seed of Kokuhaku on it, but it bloomed bloody indeed. (25.04.2015)

I was curious how Japan would handle a gritty revenge thriller and surprisingly it was very good. As far as the story goes, the film is confusing at times, the pacing fluctuates and your attention span is not 100%, but as far as the technical aspects go, there is little to fault. The visuals are above average for Japan, there's a lot of violence and gore, which suited me very well. The protagonist, a father looking for his daughter, is a proper badass and you rooting for him. Overall good, nicely disturbing, brutal at times and depressing to the point of despair. Maybe an answer to the Korean I Saw the Devil, but that was on another level. 75% (10.08.2015)

These are the Japanese exactly how I like them. The film has a revenge essence, which isn't necessary, but it's an element that always draws me in. However, there's primarily brutality, which is almost inappropriate, but brilliantly executed. Additionally, there are bizarre elements like the sudden animated sequences, even though they're just short shots. And there is also the oppressive rawness. (02.08.2017)