“Yakuza and the Family” An unwavering bond in changing times. Michito Fujii's achievements in 10 years as a director

Precise screen design with a visual theme of “smoke”

The actors' performances amplified the reality contained in the script without sacrificing it. Director Fujii's unique visual sense heightens the emotion of the drama to no end.

He has set visual themes in his previous works, such as ``wind'' in ``Day and Night '' and ``fallen leaves'' in `` The Journalist .'' The visual theme of the work was set as ``smoke.'' It is said that ``There is no smoke without fire,'' but smoke often has a negative connotation. In a society where smoking is becoming increasingly non-smoking, cigarettes, which can be said to be the representative form of smoke, are being completely eliminated. Such a position will also overlap with this work.

In addition, director Fujii named each chapter a theme of ``A life that has been surrounded by smoke,'' ``A life that gives off smoke,'' and ``A life that is hated by smoke,'' and the texture, coloring, and camera work of the images were changed accordingly. (Words and images are closely linked; in other words, the artist's ability to turn text into images is also reflected in this word choice.)

In Chapter 1, the key color is red and mainly hand-held shooting, in Chapter 2, the key color is green and a small crane is used extensively, and in Chapter 3, the key color is low contrast, close to blue, and the camera is fixed (fixed). Division. In addition, Chapters 1 and 2 were shot in Cinemasco size, and Chapter 3 was shot in Standard size, bringing about a change. In addition, cuts of factories spewing smoke taken near Numazu and Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture are inserted at key points to ensure the consistency of the work.

   “Yakuza and the Family” (c)2021 “Yakuza and the Family” Production Committee

By the way, the cinematographer, Keisuke Imamura, is a close friend of director Fujii, who also participated in `` A Better Future for the City of Smoke .'' For this duo, it can be said that this work is the culmination of their work, which took about 10 years to reach. These behind-the-scenes dramas will leave you deeply moved after watching the film.

As mentioned above, ``Yakuza and the Family'' is a work in which the creator's ``sensibility'' is added to a logical script constructed with precise ``design'' and an ``eye'' that looks at society sharply. (There is a scene in the film that switches to Yamamoto's subjective footage, but that was an idea that Imamura, the cinematographer, came up with on set.)The driving force behind this, however, is his passion for manufacturing. Therefore, although this work has calm parts, it is not cold-hearted. Based on reality, he tries to find the meaning of life beyond the feeling of despair. The “hope” that family symbolizes is always alive on screen. That's why this work will reach people's hearts as a ``movie.''

In terms of the quality of the images, the strength of the story, and the attitude of the actors. A revolutionary masterpiece that is likely to become a guideline for future Japanese films in every aspect. I'm sure that the works that will succeed ``Yakuza and the Family'' will shape the next 10 years. A new era begins here.

Reserve “Yakuza and the Family” now↓

Text: SYO

Born in 1987. After The Graduate from Tokyo Gakugei University, he worked at a film magazine editorial production site and a film information site before becoming a film writer/editor. Works on a wide range of topics including interviews, reviews, columns, event appearances, and recommendation comments. Contributed to ``CINEMORE'', ``Cinema Cafe'', ``Soen'', ``FRIDAY Digital'', ``CREA'', ``BRUTUS'', etc. Twitter「 syocinema 」

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“Yakuza and the Family”

Nationwide release on January 29, 2021

(c)2021 “Yakuza and the Family” Production Committee