Miike Takashi’s films are undeniably controversial, violent, and gory, and despite this he is regarded by many as Japan’s definitive contemporary director. Since his 1998 inclusion on Time magazine’s list of most promising non-English directors, he has been prolific and highly acclaimed, and his latest surpasses [13 Assassins]. [Hara-Kiri, The Death of Samurai] is based on the same Takiguchi Yosuhiko novel whose adaptation by Kobayashi Masaki, Seppuku, was a Cannes award winner in the 1960s. Miike’s version will be the first-ever 3D period drama released in Japan. The story is set in the early Edo period, a settled and peaceful time. Due to the non-belligerent nature of the age, some elite Samurai, known as Ronin, have lost their warrior livelihoods and the intrinsic pride and honor by which they lived. Becoming increasingly desperate and corrupt, the Ronin threaten to commit hara-kiri unless people hand over money and valuables. The main character, Hanjuro, is one of them. This is a masterpiece about the characteristic gallantry of Samurai, featuring stirring music by Academy Award-winning musician Sakamoto Ryuichi. (Shion YANG)