BEYOND OUTRAGE

Japan, 2012, 112 minutes, Colour.
Directed by Takeshi Kitano.

Beyond Outrage is a sequel to the 2010 film, Outrage, both films directed by Takeshi Kitano and starring him as a hit-man gangster.

The original film showed complexities in the structures of the Yakuza and the consequent violence in the struggles for power as well as for control of drugs and other crime outlets to make money. There was a lot of violence in the film, some of it quite over-the-top.

The plot for this film takes place five years later.

It requires quite some concentration to follow the details and intricacies of the plotting, struggles, violence, murders that are part of this scenario. For non-Japanese and for audiences not familiar with Japanese gangster films, they are very complicated, audiences trying to identify particular characters, trying to follow the double-dealing and betrayals. The Sanno clan has built up its superiority over other Yakuza organisations. But, it is open to manipulation, double-dealing and betrayal. There is also the complexity of the role of the police, the corrupt detective from the first films still wielding some influence, yet some upright police trying to make sense of what is happening.

Takeshi Kitano began his directing career in the 1980s and 1990s with films about gangsters and the police, the struggles with the Yakuza. Since then, he has directed a wider range of films, but always returning to the gangster genre. He played a significant role in Outrage, is now found to be in prison at the beginning of this film, is moved to quick release, and begins his hit-man activities with a violent stances and tactics.

Expertly made, but one for those in the know and fans of the genre.