Description:

Okinawa Yakuza senso - What's this? A 70's ultra-violent Japanese Yakuza pic that opens with an over the top Sonny Chiba karate smack-down? Cinema nirvana achieved? Well not quite, but damn close...

Set in 1971, the year before the reversion of Okinawa to Japan. Two plots mingle, one featuring a conflict between local and mainland yakuza gangs, and the other an internal struggle within the Okinawa gang itself. Made with a documentary touch, this film also offers a fascinating glimpse of Japan’s gaze on America formed through the filter of Okinawa.

This film was initially banned in Okinawa because it was feared it would incite too much interest in the local yakuza or reignite the too recently historical blood feud which the film exploits.

Director: Sadao Nakajima

Writers: Fumio Konami, Koji Takada

Stars: Sonny Chiba, Hiroki Matsukata, Shizumi Shindo

1976 - JAPANESE with OPTIONAL ENGLISH SUBTITLES - COLOR - 16:9 ANAMORPHIC WIDESCREEN - 96 MINUTES