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Hana-Bi
In one of Takeshi Kitano's most acclaimed films, he plays a detective who turns to crime while caring for his terminally ill wife.
Director: Takeshi Kitano
Overview
Monosyllabic detective Nishi (Kitano) leaves the force after his partner Horibe is seriously wounded and two colleagues are killed in pursuit of a gunman. Dedicating his life to caring for his terminally ill wife, as well as providing for the wheelchair-bound Horibe, Nishi accrues crippling debts. After robbing a bank to ease his financial worries, Nishi takes his wife on a final holiday, pursued by loan sharks and the police.
Award the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, Hana-Bi (Fireworks) was the film that finally resulted in Kitano's recognition back home; the first of his films to receive a host of nominations at the Japanese Academy Awards.
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