The 2015 Toronto International Film Festival welcomed back Japanese director Takashi Miike as he brought the Midnight Madness audience a treat with his latest film “Yakuza Apocalypse”. His previous films “Fudoh: The New Generation” (1997), “City of Lost Souls” (2000), “Ichi the Killer” (2001), “Gozu” (2003), “Zebraman” (2004), “The Great Yokai War” (2005) and “Sukiyaki Western Django” (2007) had their North American debut in TIFF’s Midnight Madness programming.
“Yakuza Apocalypse” is a film that has its plot truly fitting its title. The story mainly focuses on Kageyama (Hayato Ichihara) as he joins the yakuza (Japan’s version of the mafia). Although Kageyama is ridiculed by the other yakuza members for his lack of tattoos (which is a requirement for members), Kageyama stays loyal to the yakuza’s powerful leader, Kamiura (Lily Franky). His loyalty takes Kageyama down a destructive path after he witnesses Kamiura being murdered. Unsure of what he is meant to do for his dying boss, Kageyama stays by Kamiura’s side only for his boss to bestow upon him his secret gift, making Kageyama the new yakuza boss. Only after he receives the title and gift does Kageyama truly realize his boss’ secret; Kamiura was a vampire. Only a select few knew about this vampire secret and because of that Kamiura had a system in place that allowed for his secret to stay hidden. Now while struggling to control his new desire for blood, Kageyama unknowingly unleashes hell on earth as his secret spreads throughout the city. Because of the exposure, Kageyama is forced to confront his former boss’ murderers and the yakuza while trying to survive in the chaos he started.
Not only does this film bring out a supernatural element in the form of vampires and monsters but it also includes a variety of moments where martial arts are featured where everyone participates. Aside from Kageyama and Kamiura, another featured martial artist comes in the form of Kyoken (Yayan Ruhian), who demonstrates his superior fighting skills when put against the vampires he’s meant to eliminate.
Takashi Miike’s take on the vampire lore is an interesting one. Instead of the typical fangs that are associated with the vampire lore, the yakuza vampires have a tongue that turns into an alien-like sucking tube that punctures the skin and sucks the blood out, inadvertently turning them into vampires too. Only when Kageyama truly embraces his vampire abilities does he showcase the true vampire image to the world; a beautiful yet terrifying sight to see.
Aside from the vampires, there is a Kappa that makes its appearance. According to Japanese lore, the Kappa is a supernatural creature that takes the livers of its victims after dragging them into the water. They have a beak-like snout, fins on their hands and feet, a shell on their back and a dish on their head (as long as it’s filled, the Kappa keeps their powers). Miike’s interpretation of the Kappa is truly unforgettable.
With the Kappa came the introduction of another creature in the form of a giant frog costume. With its intense martial arts background, not only does this frog fight many yakuza members, he also faces off against Kageyama. While it may seem odd that a costumed frog is beating people up, the surprise is who is inside the costume.
Fans of Takashi Miike are in for a supernatural surprise with his spin on the yakuza story while newcomers of his work can expect all expectations to be obliterated.
Original Title: Gokudô daisenso
Director: Takashi Miike
Writer/Screenplay: Yoshitaka Yamaguchi
Country of Origin: Japan | France
Language: Japanese | English
Length: 115 minutes
Original Release: October 9, 2015
IMDb | Official Website | TIFF 2015 Trailer
Publication Note:
This was published in Volume 12, Issue 2 of AsianWave Magazine.
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