Kawaita hana (1964)

Kawaita hana: Directed by Masahiro Shinoda. With Ryô Ikebe, Mariko Kaga, Takashi Fujiki, Naoki Sugiura. A gangster gets released from prison and has to cope with the recent shifts of power between the gangs, while taking care of a thrill-seeking young woman, who got in bad company while gambling.

“u0026#39;Pale Floweru0026#39; is a film that once again adds to the already rich archive of Japanese cinema. Shinoda (writer/director) put together a very impressive film, so smart and tightly constructed. His use of the camera and lighting to create the dark street world he was portraying was beautiful. Although limited by technology of that time, Shinoda was able to use what he had very well. When we think of film noir or gangster style films, a lot of clichéu0026#39;s come to mind, murder, loyalty, power, drugs, sex, etc. Shinoda takes all of these and wraps it into a detailed story that becomes representative of Japan and the political backdrop of the Cold War. Of course, the film was banned by the censor board. Filmmakers like Shinoda were a part of the u0026#39;New Waveu0026#39; in Japan and u0026#39;Pale Floweru0026#39; remains, like so many great films, timeless. Anyone who appreciates Japanese cinema must see this film!”