Fuyu no hana (1978)

Fuyu no hana: Directed by Yasuo Furuhata. With Ken Takakura, Kimiko Ikegami, Kin’ya Kitaôji, Mitsuko Baishô. A thug is released after fifteen years in prison for the murder of a yakuza gang boss. Things were never going to be simple and bygones were never going to be bygones of course, but to make matters more complicated the murdered boss had a young daughter upon his death. Will it be a case of vengeance?

“Ken Takakura was, with Toshiro Mifune, the most known Japanese actor in Hollywood, or may I say in the rest of the outside Japan world. We saw him in YAKUZA and BLACK RAIN, remember. He had such a poignant face expression for sad stories, gripping atmospheres of crime, drama or honor tales. This film makes no exception. He plays here a yakuza released from jail after fifteen years for murdering a gang boss. A gang boss who, at this time, had a young daughter. A girl who have grown up in the mean time, as you can guess… Yes, a true yakuza movie, but with not so much action, nor violence, no gun shots, just blades… Takakura Ken at his best.”