Hideo Gosha is an overlooked master of Japanese cinema. During the 1960s he worked on some of the most riveting chambara (samurai) films of the decade. When the 1970s came, he turned his energies to yakuza films. His work proved to be just as impressive and would go on to be some of his most lasting works.
His movies have influenced a generation of directors Chang Cheh (Five Deadly Venoms), Yoskiaki Kawajiri (Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust), and Takashi Miike (Audition). To honor the director, the Metrograph in New York will presents “Hideo Gosha x 3” which features three of his films.
Samurai Wolf (1966)
The look, tone, and even sound of Samurai Wolf is more like a Spaghetti Western than other samurai movies. The story is a simple one – Kiba is a wandering ronin who is protecting a blind woman from a hired swordsman – but the characters are fully realized. The script manages to get a lot out of their characters despite the runtime being just over an hour. This is thanks to the strong writing that focuses on the emotional complexities of its characters. In a neat twist, the fight scenes evolve as the things progress. What start as beautiful flowing slow motion becomes fast paced and violent. A great introduction to the works of Gosha.
Samurai Wolf 2: Hell Cut (1967)
Many of the same elements from the previous film are incorporated in this follow-up adventure about the Furious Wolf. Once again, a woman and another mysterious swordsman are involved. In this case, there is more intrigue to the plot. A murderer who looks exactly like Kiba’s father stirs up memories, for example. The Sergio Morricone-esque score is back along with a story that would fit as well in the Old West of America. There are less slow motion shots, but this does not prevent the geysers of blood.
Violent Streets (1974)
Gosha tried his hand at plenty of yakuza films, but this one stands out not only in his catalog, it is one of the better ones found in the genre. The story is one that has been told before – a retired boss is forced back into the life when a rival syndicate tries to take over his home turf – but the energy and characters are unlike any other. Filled with over the top brutality and a mean sense of humor, Violent Streets (also known as Violent City) can almost be a sensory overload. There is a lot to keep up with, but it is chaotic fun.
Hideo Gosha x 3 plays is screening at the Metrograph through January 1
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