"Embrace collaboration, and we'll grant you absolution." Prime Video Japan has unveiled an enticing trailer for "Broken Rage," an unprecedented cinematic endeavor by Takeshi Kitano, set to captivate audiences on streaming platforms within the coming months. Premiering initially as a special selection at the 2024 Venice Film Festival, this film follows hot on the heels of his three-hour epic "Kubi," which debuted the year prior.
"Broken Rage" narrates the tale of Nezumi, a hitman masterfully portrayed by Beat Takeshi, caught in a perilous web between the relentless pursuit of the police and the treacherous depths of the yakuza. The narrative, initially a gripping crime-action thriller in the first half, immerses viewers in a dark and gritty criminal underworld, where Nezumi's struggle for survival is paramount. However, the film takes an exhilarating and unexpected detour in its second half, transforming into a self-referential comedy that retells the same story with a hilariously tongue-in-cheek twist.
A dual-part masterpiece, "Broken Rage" presents its first segment as a hard-hitting action film, replete with the tense atmosphere and dramatic stakes of a hitman's life on the lam. Alongside Takeshi Kitano, the stellar cast includes Tadanobu Asano and Nao Ômori, whose performances elevate the tension and intensity to new heights. Having caught a glimpse of this film at Venice last year, I can attest to its side-splitting humor and sheer entertainment value.
The second half, however, dives headfirst into slapstick comedy reminiscent of the legendary Three Stooges, mercilessly mocking the clichés and absurdities inherent in yakuza thrillers and action films. It's a bold and brilliant critique of the genre, revealing just how silly it can be to take such portrayals seriously. And, of course, Takeshi-san shines in this comic role, delivering a performance that is both laugh-out-loud funny and a testament to his versatility as an actor.
Directed, penned, and headlined by the legendary Takeshi Kitano—a filmmaker still thriving at the helm of comedic supremacy and garnering accolades worldwide—this film showcases a daring theme: "Comedy Amidst Violence." It's an avant-garde cinematic endeavor that defies industry norms with its unconventional direction and unpredictable narrative twists, a testament to Kitano's unparalleled vision as a global film icon.
Dubbed "Broken Rage," this groundbreaking work is the brainchild of Takeshi Kitano, alias Beat Takeshi, the director behind an extensive filmography that includes gems like "Violent Cop," "Boiling Point," "Getting Any?," "Kikujiro," "Brother," "Dolls," "Zatōichi," "Achilles and the Tortoise," "Outrage," "Beyond Outrage," "Outrage Coda," "Ryuzo and the Seven Henchmen," and the harrowing "Kubi." Produced by Emiko Kitano under the Kitano Agency's banner, "Broken Rage" made its triumphant debut at the prestigious Venice Film Festival in 2024.
Now, get ready to experience the laughter amidst chaos as Prime Video Japan brings "Broken Rage" exclusively to streaming audiences worldwide, starting this winter on February 13th, 2025. Mark your calendars; this is one cinematic masterpiece you won't want to miss. Who's ready for a wild ride through the realms of comedy and violence intertwined?
