Sonatine Sumo Clip (1993)

While Sonatine might not be Kitano’s most idiosyncratic or outre film, I think it’s his most effective. What starts as a conventional gangster flick takes a turn for the transcendental when the narrative makes a Godard-like twist. Holed up in an Okinawan beach hut, a bunch of world-weary yakuza wile away the last few days of their lives playing childish games against a beautiful Pacific backdrop. Probably my favourite film. P.s. the clip is missing English subs, but you’ll get the point.