Not sure how this one got past us here at Twitch, but it seems like Takeshi Kitano is back to his usual ways with a return to form for his next film. While nothing is yet set in stone, several sources have pointed out that the director's 15th film will indeed be a modern yakuza film.
This is a sigh of relief for many followers of Kitano whom were beginning to grow tire of his last few self-loathing films. I for one thoroughly enjoyed Takeshis' but felt Glory to the Filmmaker! and Achilles and the Tortoise were borderline disasters.
It is also said that the investors of his latest opus want him to cast the likes of Shiina Kippei, Miura Tomokazu and Kase Ryo in place of his regular players. As with most of his pictures, Mr. Beat Takeshi, will step in front of the camera in the lead role. Filming is set to begin this August in Kobe, Japan.
Takeshis’ was good, I hated Glory to the filmmaker! but I loved Achilles and the tortoise.
I hope a return to the yakuza eiga is what HE wants, not what his "fans" want...
I liked Achilles as well and I must say I agree with axleu.
For some reason I really like how Kitano seems to make films for himself and not so much for the audience, even though it may produce poor films.
I have always enjoyed Kitano, but only recently have I invested a lot of time into his films. I have now watched a bunch of his early films and have fallen in love with them. He is definitely my favorite director of the month. Glad to hear he is going back to Yakuza roots!
I'm actually one of the few that liked his recent switch, no matter how much I loved his previous work. I still count Takeshis' as his best film after Dolls.
Dunno about him returning to his former game, as it might become a case of too little, too late. Not too fond of seeing familiar faces scrapped from his film. Terajima and Osugi are just too important to his films.
I loved Takeshis'. Fantastic film. Glory was ok. Haven't seen Achilles. Another yakuza film might be nice, though.
I thoroughly enjoyed Takeshis' but didn't finish Glory... just too much for me. Yet I loved Dolls at the cinema! As for the Yakuza theme... I have often enjoyed movies like A Scene At The Sea and Summer Of Kikujiro more than Boiling Point or Sonatine. Of course, Hana-Bi is still his masterpiece. Fingers crossed for a good Kitano film, please!
Good to hear him going back to the roots.
YEAH! Violent Cop! woo!
Why do people want him to return to yakuza films? "Brother", which came out quite recently when you consider how long his career has lasted, was probably his worst film! His latest trilogy was the best work of his career. Glory to the Filmmaker was BRILLIANT beyond words; Achilles and the Tortoise made me cry because it was so beautiful. He is the only director working today who can truely make me FEEL. That's important. Thinking about it for a second, though, even if he returns to his yakuza roots, his films will be way different (and better) than before. He is improving as a director with every new film, and the only reason people find his new films frustrating is because he is completely doing new things, completely tearing apart the fabric of cinema. He is one of the only true ARTISTS working in the world today. Unfortunately, he probably won't get the respect or recognition he deserves until Criterion finally is smart enough to re-release his films, or he dies. A shame. A true genius. Whatever he does, it'll be awesome.