• Release year: 1977
• Director: Kinji Fukasaku.
• Producer: Toei.
• Screenplay by: Kôji Takada.
• Cinematography by: Tôru Nakajima.
• Music by: Toshiaki Tsushima.

Shotgun Commentary: bleak mafia story full of passion and violence.

Review

Hokuriku Proxy War is a film that covers a yakuza war started and finished by the same Hokuriku man: Kawada Noboru (Hiroki Matsukata). In a curious case of life imitating art, the real yakuza boss in which the film is inspired died a few months after the film was released. In exactly the same way as his enemies attempt to kill Noboru. This is one of many interesting facts about a fascinating movie that you can learn in the extras of Radiance’s release, which includes a Blu-ray of the feature along with extra interviews and other content. Further details after the review.

A cold, harsh reality

The story follows a stubborn man as he sets to finish a plan that seems destined to fail. He lies, kills, puts himself and others in danger, and even serves some time in jail, but his goal remains the same: to be the boss of the Hokuriku yakuza. Because of the POV adopted during the first scene, one doesn’t expect the reckless brute to be the protagonist, yet he is. Luckily, we soon find out that there is more to him than his presentation. A welcomed fact since the alternative would have been an assured failure.

As far as narratives go, there is a certain gloominess in this one that sets it apart from other yakuza stories. Usually, features of this topic tend to focus on the violence and cruelty of this environment, while this one in particular is clearly more interested in the strategic and human side of the people who live in it.

The harshness of their behaviour and the cool with which the main character plans his next steps are enhanced by the snowy background in which the film takes place. Relationships are built and destroyed as easily as one would a snowman, the biting cold yet another metaphor for the ease with which people from Hokuriku would sacrifice anything in order to survive.

More than a facade

Still, developing the most human side of the criminals in the movie doesn’t mean it ceases to be violent, quite the opposite, it just highlights the stakes of each hit. The film shows real-life ways in which the yakuza would torture and murder people, including savageries such as burying some in the snow and pouring water over their head.

Nevertheless, moments like this are incidental, mostly just a way to spice up the narrative. More often than not, it is fights that take place, or conversations with lots of big talk and no action. This show that the yakuza are more than just a bunch of bullies, they are also scared little kids (much like any other bully, really) who try to look big in front of their friends, not always managing to do so.

The duality of these mobsters is showcased beautifully by all the male actors of the film, a crew that seems to be having the time of their lives if the passion they show is anything to go by. Still, even the fear of the yakuza is not as interesting as the two female characters of the film, Kiku (Yumiko Nogawa) and Nobuko (Yôko Takahashi).

Who run the bar?

The first is similar to a Western madame. Although only her job as a tavern runner is shown, she also seems to have relationships with the boss of whomever yakuza group is offering protection to her place, in addition to offering massages to clients and presumably other services from the girls working for her too.

Despite what her wavering loyalties might tell you, she is, first and foremost, a survivor. There is no time for loyalties when you have to keep your business afloat, and that makes her one of the toughest women in the genre despite not actually being a killer.

As for Nobuko, she is a tomboy who falls in love with the main character. She is quiet and rough around the edges, but definitely deadly if she needs to be, a strong love interest for a strong man.

All in all, Hokuriku Proxy War shows part of the yakuza world that feel raw and completely real, which explains why this film was the end of an actual yakuza boss. It depicts a reality faithfully and with a lot of detail, a reckless feat at the time, but certainly of great historic value now.

Radiance Films will release a high-definition restoration of Hokuriku Proxy War the 24th of February in the UK. It is also available in USA/Canada from Radiance’s partners MVD, Diabolik, Orbit, Grindhouse, Rough Cut Canada and others.

Further details of the release below:

LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES

• High-Definition digital transfer
• Uncompressed mono PCM audio
• New interview with actress Yoko Takahashi (2024, 15 mins)
• New interview with screenwriter Koji Takada (2024, 19 mins)
• Yakuza film historian Akihiko Ito on the real-life Hokuriku Proxy War murder case (2024, 15 mins)
• Trailer
• Newly improved English subtitle translation
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Time Tomorrow
• Limited edition booklet featuring newly translated archival writings on the film
• Limited edition of 3000 copies, presented in full-height Scanavo packaging with removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings

Find the Radiance release right here!

Advice to take from this movie:

• Don’t mess with the yakuza.
• Dealing with criminals never ends well.
• If a person is known for lying and cheating, maybe don’t trust them?

What’s your take? Have you watched Hokuriku Proxy War? Don’t hesitate to let me know your thoughts in the comments section below, or leave a message in my contact page! For more reviews and cinema-related articles, check out the rest of my blog! 😀