Tribute to Yasuzô Masumura 2023 / Kuro no tesuto ka / Japan 1962
The world of automobile espionage serves as a springboard for Masumura’s study of the decadence of post-war corporate Japan and the passing of imperialist DNA into self-serving manufactures in this highly suspenseful, deeply cynical noir. Asahina (Jirô Tamiya) is the ambitious young member of a spy team working for Tiger, a mega automobile firm, which is about to launch its latest deluxe sports model, the Pioneer. After a series of mishaps, the Tiger group realize that their staunch rival, Yamato, may have planted a mole in the company. A breathless cat-and-mouse game ensues – replete with double-crossings, triple-crossings, and capricious twists – which ultimately exposes the extent of industrial corruption.
Joseph Fahim
95 min / Black & white, DCP
Director Yasuzô Masumura
/ Screenplay Kazuo Funahashi, Yoshihiro Ishimatsu
/ Dir. of Photography Yoshihisa Nakagawa
/ Music Sei Ikeno
/ Sound Toshikazu Watanabe
/ Editor Tatsuji Nakasizu
/ Art Director Hikaru Yamaguchi
/ Production DAIEI studio, Kadokawa Corporation
/ Cast Jiro Tamiya, Junko Kano, Eiji Funakoshi
/ Sales Kadokawa Corporation
Kadokawa Corporation
2-13-12 Fujimi, Chiyoda-ku, 102-8552, Tokyo
Japan
Phone: +81 807 233 6972
E-mail: [email protected]
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