GRAVEYARD OF HONOR
(仁義の墓場)
dir. Kinji Fukasaku, 1975.
Japan. 91 mins.
In Japanese with English Subs.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 4TH - 5 PM
FRIDAY, AUGUST 16TH - 7:30 PM
SUNDAY, AUGUST 31ST - 5 PM

Chronicles a true story of the rise and fall of a self-destructive man through the ranks of the Yakuza.

Adapted from Goro Fujita’s gangster novel, documenting the real-life exploits of mad dog Yakuza Rikio Ishikawa, GRAVEYARD OF HONOR might be Fukasaku's bleakest most nihilistic Jitsuroku Eiga. Whereas other films in the genre might hint at a protagonist with a sliver of honor and respect, there is none to be found here. Tetsuya Watari, who five years previously was still playing the chivalrous Yakuza lead in many Toei productions, couldn’t be further removed from these roles. He plays the angry, rabid, and self-destructive Ishikawa with such ferocity that even the most hardened audiences might have trouble sitting through this onslaught of the senses.