Details
HITORICA FOCUS
Enami Saburo successfully joins Shinsengumi after begging with its Ichibantai leader Okita Souji. He starts his new and awkward life bound by the group’s strict rules and training. After being assigned to the Ichibantai lead by Okita, five new members including Enami himself are summoned by Yamazaki Susumu of the Inspecting Division. Yamazaki questions the new boys, saying that one of them must be a spy of Sakamoto Ryoma and Nakaoka Shintaro. Amidst confusion, a man named Aihara suddenly attacks Yamazaki with a knife. Aihara is immediately caught by Yamazaki and is sentenced to death. Kondo Isami commands Enami to decapitate him, saying that he must kill anyone once told. Enami soon starts volunteering as executioner for those who went against the group’s rules, working hard for Commander Kondo and the Shinsengumi.
Director Tai Kato
Actor Hashizo Okawa, Choichiro Kawarazaki, Junko Fuji, Takeya Nakamura, Kou Nishimura, Ryutaro Otomo, Kinnosuke Nakamura
Japan｜ 1964｜ 99min｜ Toei｜
- Human Drama
director
Tai Kato [Film Director]
Tai Kato (1916-1985) was born in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture. Mesmerized by silent films including the works of Daisuke Ito, he entered the film industry with the help of his uncle Sadao Yamanaka. After his directorial debut in 1951, he shot jidaigeki period films and yakuza films mainly in Toei. After the 1960s, he worked on large-scale films with various studios beyond the constraints of cinematic genres. He established his position in the industry with his long takes using cameras fixed at a low angle as well as his action scenes filled with primal cinematic joy. Kato’s directorial gaze, imbued with affection and fury, depicted the lives and passion of people outside the bounds of society, creating scenes where life occupied every inch of the wide screen. His works were featured in the 1998 Locarno International Film Festival, which came as a great surprise to cinephiles. Kato passed away in 1985.
OTHER FILMS
『HEADS OR TAILS?』
Italy, United States ｜
2025 ｜
116min ｜
director：
Alessio Rigo de Righi, Matteo Zoppis
