Takeshi Kitano’s new film, Broken Rage, will be available on Prime Video on February 13 worldwide. This streaming-only film is the first Japanese movie officially chosen for the Venice Film Festival. It will be shown outside the game at a major event in 2024.
Kitano, a well-known Japanese film director, stars in and directs the movie. Kitano is known for his creative storytelling, and in Broken Rage, he takes a bold approach by mixing two different styles in the story. The first half is a gritty crime thriller about a hitman in a deadly conflict between the cops and the yakuza. The second half reimagines the same story through a comedic lens, using self-parody to shift the film’s tone.
Kitano described his project as an experiment to see if there can be comedy in a violent film.
Tadanobu Asano, who won the Golden Globe for Best Actor, stars in the film. This is Asano’s third time working with Kitano, after their previous projects, Zatōichi (2003) and Kubi (2023). Veteran actor Nao Omori, who has worked on six Kitano films, is also a star. Other cast members are Shidō Nakamura, who recently worked with Kitano on Kubi, and Hakuryu, who has worked with him for a long time.
Broken Rage also introduces new characters to Kitano’s films. Comedians Gekidan Hitori, Masanori Hasegawa, Azusa Babazono, and Mogura Suzuki bring new energy to the show. Shinya Kiyozuka created the film’s music, making it stand out even more.
Prime Video is releasing Broken Rage in more than 240 countries, showing its increasing commitment to international material. The platform’s approach aims to introduce unique works like Kitano’s to a larger audience, possibly creating new trends for streaming-first releases worldwide.
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The film being chosen for the Venice Film Festival shows its importance and highlights how film festivals are starting to accept movies that are only available on streaming services. This change is especially significant for Asian movies, indicating a wider acceptance of different types of storytelling in the digital era.
