Branded to Kill

One of the greatest Japanese directors of genre films must be Seijun Suzuki. In a short period of time he made over 40 films for Nikkatsu, all within the confines of classical genres. In his own words, Youth of the Beast (1963) was the first film where he succeeded in making something original. The last 15 films he did for Nikkatsu became increasingly more challenging in terms of visual and narrative conventions. Branded to Kill was to be his last film for Nikkatsu – after delivering this arty gangster film he was promptly fired. The film is today regarded as the pinnacle of Nikkatsu's achievements in the genre, and a great source of inspiration for many of our contemporary filmmakers. krj

Suitable for persons 15 years and older.

Seijun Suzuki is responsible for some of the most original works of Japanese genre film. He was blacklisted by the industry for 10 years after the break with Nikkatsu, but had a triumphant return in 1977 with A Tale of Sorrow and Sadness. Suzuki will celebrate his 90th birthday next year and has indicated retirement as a director, however rumours of a final film are flying…