Third Window Films are going to release three great films from legendary director Takeshi Kitano this year and the first of those films is Hana-bi. It has been at least over a decade since I last saw it but I still remember parts of it clearly and its impact on me at the time was pretty profound considering what went from a random DVD purchase shot to near top of my most respected films of all time and I went and bought a poster. I think now is the perfect time to get reacquainted…
Hana-bi is an award-winning classic. It took the Golden Lion at the 1997 Venice Film Festival and was named Best Non-European Film at the 1997 European Film Academy Awards and now thanks to Third Window Films it’s available on Blu-ray with a new 2K master from Office Kitano. Here’s more information on the film that was available on a press release:
Hana-bi
花火「Hana-bi」
Release Date: January 24th, 1998 (Japan)
UK Release Date: January 11th, 2016
UK Distributor: Third Window Films
Running Time: 125 mins.
Director: Takashi Kitano
Writer: Takashi Kitano (Screenplay),
Starring: Takeshi Kitano, Kayoko Kishimoto, Ren Osugi, Susumu Terajima, Tetsu Watanabe,
Synopsis: Former Police officer Nishi feels responsible for the shattered lives of his loved ones. His partner Horibe has been crippled in a disastrous stakeout, a colleague is shot dead by the same villain, and his own wife has a terminal illness. In debt to a yakuza loanshark, Nishi conceives a bank robbery to provide for his partner, help the dead cop’s widow, and take one last holiday throughout Japan with his wife and share a final taste of happiness… A highly original crime drama written, directed and starring Takeshi Kitano.
Extras:
The first 1000 copies of each feature cardboard slipcases with new illustrated
artwork by Marie Bergeron supported by Filmdoo’s Film Creativity Competition.
30 minute documentary from the film’s original release
Interview with Takeshi Kitano from the film’s original release
New Audio commentary by film critic Mark Schilling
