Blood and Bones

Blood and Bones

Japanese Title: Chi to Hone
Release Year in Japan: 2004

Director: Yoichi Sai
Casts: Beat Takeshi (Shunpei Kim), Kyoka Suzuki (Yonhi Li), Joe Odagiri (Chan-myung)

Harsh life story of a violent Korean immigrant to Japan, who relies on his power and acts solely on his own interest, often crushing those around him. The film does neither praise nor criticize him, and left me a strong impression about the unescapable karma of the family. Beat Takeshi (Kitano) is powerful, and Joe Odagiri's short but brilliant act is impressive. Kyoka Suzuki's performance of careful but natural moves that are clearly Korean, very subtle but very different from Japanese, is just amazing.

The film received several Japan Academy Awards in 2005, including Yoichi Sai (Best Director), Kyoka Suzuki (Best Actress), and Joe Odagiri (Best Supporting Actor).