Urita is a professional boxer with an unrivalled love of the sport. However his underling Kazuki is a better boxer and, moreover, is dating Urita’s childhood friend Chika. Urita keeps his negative feelings hidden and helps Kazuki prepare for the title match. Meanwhile, Narasaki starts boxing on a whim but gradually becomes enthralled by the sport and wants to go pro. Drama builds as their fights draw near…
This drama uses the unforgiving sport of boxing to cast a quiet and kind gaze on human life that has no clear winner. Keisuke Yoshida's splendid direction exudes unvoiced emotions tucked away inside, including frustration at the gap between ability and passion, fear of punch drunk syndrome and feelings of camaraderie. Audiences will undoubtedly be profoundly moved by the in-depth character development, especially Urita’s emotional state as performed by acting maestro Kenichi Matsuyama. With his consecutive masterpieces in recent years, Keisuke Yoshida is at present one of Japan’s leading directors.
© 2021 “BLUE” Film Partners
"Matsuyama spent two years training for the role, and is completely believable as a man who has devoted the best years of his life to boxing without ever landing a knockout blow. His co-stars are just as impressive.."
- James Hadfield, The Japan Times
Saturday 5th November
107 min
15+
Kenichi Matsuyama, Fumino Kimura, Tokio Emoto, Masahiro Higashide
Keisuke Yoshida
Film Festival
Japanese with English subtitles
The Kino, Palace Norton Street, Palace Verona, Palace Barracks, Palace Electric Cinema, Palace Raine Square
