Navigating Brotherhood Through Betrayal and Love

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MOVIE REVIEW
Tattooed Life (Irezumi ichidai)
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Genre: Action, Crime, Drama
Year Released: 1965, 2024 Radiance Films Blu-ray
Runtime: 1h 27m
Director(s): Seijun Suzuki
Writer(s): Kei Hattori, Ai Kennedy, Kin'ya Naoi
Cast: Hideki Takahashi, Masako Izumi, Hiroko Ito, Kayo Matsuo, Hôsei Komatsu, Seizaburô Kawazu
Where To Watch: available September 24, 2024; pre-order your copy here www.radiancefilms.co.uk, www.mvdshop.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: Seijun Suzuki’s TATTOOED LIFE, emerging from the mid-1960s, presents a compelling narrative that mixes subdued storytelling with vivid cinematic techniques. This film takes us deep into the yakuza underworld through the lives of Tetsuo, a gangster caught in the web of his organization's betrayal, and Kenji, his younger brother, who becomes an unwilling participant in violent struggles. Their quest for safety leads them to Manchuria. This evocative landscape becomes more than just a setting in the story—embodying the fleeting illusion of freedom.

As the brothers navigate their way from the neon-lit chaos of city life to the oppressive environments of labor mines, Suzuki’s directorial hand paints each scene with a palette that ranges from gritty realism to lush, hyper-stylized worlds. These visual feats mesmerize during the film’s climax, where every frame is a testament to Suzuki’s bold aesthetic choices. The quieter moments of TATTOOED LIFE do not merely fill space between action sequences; they delve into the emotional and psychological complexities of the brothers. Tetsuo’s relationship with Midori and Kenji’s troubled bond with Masayo add depth, transforming a potential action thriller into a rich study of characters caught in the crossfire of fate.

Some plot twists seem a tad too convenient, threatening to push the narrative into the realms of the unbelievable. But Suzuki’s flair for dramatic storytelling rescues these moments, turning them into charming yet critical parts of the storyline.

TATTOOED LIFE also acts as a reflective piece on the yakuza genre, exploring themes of loyalty, betrayal, and redemption. It’s an artistic bridge connecting Suzuki’s earlier, more straightforward crime stories with his later, abstract cinematic explorations. The recent Blu-ray release by Radiance Films does justice to the film’s visuals, providing a clean, vibrant showcase of Suzuki’s innovative techniques and enriched with features like insightful commentary and interviews that deepen the appreciation of his work.

This isn’t just another entry in the gangster film genre; TATTOOED LIFE stands out as a thought-provoking narrative inviting awe and introspection. Suzuki balances thrilling plot dynamics with substantial thematic explorations, all wrapped in a visually stunning presentation that confirms its place as a pivotal work in Japanese cinema of the 1960s. Engaging for cinephiles and casual viewers alike, this film offers a gateway into the rich tapestry of Suzuki’s filmography and the transformative era it represents.

Bonus Materials
High-Definition digital transfer
Uncompressed mono PCM audio
Audio commentary by William Carroll, author of Seijun Suzuki and Postwar Cinema (2024)
Newly edited archival interview with director Seijun Suzuki
Newly edited archival interview with art director Takeo Kimura
Trailer
Newly improved English subtitle translation
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Time Tomorrow
Limited edition booklet featuring new writing by Tom Vick and a newly translated archival review of the film

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[photo courtesy of RADIANCE FILMS, MVD ENTERTAINMENT]

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