First look: Amazon brings Takeshi Kitano’s Broken Rage to Venice
David Farnor | On 29, Aug 2024
Amazon is taking Takeshi Kitano’s latest film, Broken Rage, to Venice next week.
The film, which was first announced by Amazon MGM Studios in June as an untitled project, is the first Japanese film produced for streaming to be officially selected for the prestigious international film festival.
Directed, written by, and starring the legendary filmmaker – who has previously brought us Sonatine, Zatoichi and more – is based on his concept of exploring “comedy within a violent film”. Redefining the norms of the genre, the first half follows a hitman, Nezumi (played by Takeshi Kitano), fighting for his survival when he’s caught between the police and yakuza. But in the second half, the gritty crime-action thriller takes an unexpected turn, evolving into a self-parodying comedy that retells the same story with a humorous touch.
The film co-stars Tadanobu Asano, who starred in Zatōichi and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for Shogun, plays the lead detective trying to coerce Nezumi into cooperating as an undercover informant in a drug investigation. Nao Omori, who made his Hollywood debut in The Outsiders and has appeared in five of Kitano’s films, including Dolls, also plays a detective.
The role of the yakuza boss overseeing the drug trade is played by Shidō Nakamura, who made his debut in a Takeshi Kitano film with Kubi, and the role of the young boss is played by Hakuryu, who has appeared in numerous Kitano films. The talented ensemble cast also includes Takashi Nishina (Outrage Coda, Kubi), So Kaku (Sanctuary, 2023), along with comedians making their first appearances in a Kitano film, such as Gekidan Hitori, Masanori Hasegawa (Nishikigoi), Azusa Babazono, and Mogura Suzuki (Kuki Kaidan).
“When I first read the script for Broken Rage, I was surprised by the unprecedented twists and turns in the story, ” said Tadanobu Asano. “And at the same time excited to be able to join the director in this new challenge.”
“First of all, I was overjoyed to be able to work with Takeshi Kitano again, a director I deeply admire,” said Nao Omori. “When I first read the script, I felt this was a new creative direction for him, quite different from his previous work, and I wasn’t sure how to approach it. But on set, despite the intensity, there was still laughter, with that familiar excellent atmosphere you get on one of Kitano’s sets.”
The film will premiere out of competition on 6th and 7th September and will go on to stream on Prime Video exclusively in 2025.
Amazon orders film from Takeshi Kitano
25th June 2024
Japanese filmmaking icon Takeshi Kitano is teaming up with Amazon MGM Studios for a new film.
The filmmaker has garnered immense respect, fame, and praise for his enviable repertoire of work as a director, actor, creator, and comedian. Since his directorial debut in 1989 with Violent Cop, Kitano has directed a total of 19 feature films, including much-acclaimed Sonatine (1993), Kids Return (1996), and the Outrage trilogy (2010-2017). In 1997, Fireworks (Hana-bi) won the Golden Lion at the 54th Venice International Film Festival, a first for a Japanese film in over 40 years. Since then, he has earned an international reputation as a preeminent director from Japan to win multiple awards at various international film festivals all around the world, including a Silver Lion for Best Director for The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi (2003) at the 60th Venice International Film Festival. His latest film, KUBI (2023) premiered at the 76th Cannes International Film Festival.
Now, Amazon has announced that Kitano will direct and star in a new project for Amazon MGM Studios.
“Takeshi Kitano is an icon, not only in Japan but in the sphere of global film and media entertainment, and we’re thrilled to collaborate with him on the project, soon to launch on Prime Video,” said James Farrell, Head of International Originals, Amazon MGM Studios. “At Amazon MGM Studios, we are committed to creating and promoting international content that gives our customers an assortment of highly immersive, entertaining, and engaging films and series across genres and languages from all over the world. This collaboration further augments Amazon MGM Studios’ vision to be the home for talent, which will lead to many more successful collaborations in the time to come. We’re confident that fans and followers of Kitano-san will be excited with anticipation to watch what the genius filmmaker has in store.”
“It has been decades since I started making films, but I am excited to team up with Amazon MGM Studios that produces content in various countries, as a new challenge for myself,” said filmmaker, Takeshi Kitano. “We are currently filming diligently, so please stay tuned for further updates.”