Outrage (“Autoreiji” in Japan) is a 2010 Japanese Yakuza film directed by Takeshi Kitano. The film centres around a power struggle within a Yakuza organization as various factions clash for control.
The main character, Otomo, is a high-ranking member of the Yakuza whose crew gets caught in the middle of escalating mob tensions after minorly provoking a rival. As time goes on, Otomo soon realizes that he has become the scapegoat for all those involved and a mob war ensues.
The film features a cast of well-known Japanese actors and is known for its graphic violence and complex character relationships. Outrage was mostly a commercial and critical success upon its release, and spawned two sequels: “Outrage Beyond” in 2012 (Beyond Outrage in the US) and “Outrage Coda” in 2017.
How was Outrage Received Critically?
Outrage was generally well-received by critics upon its release. It was praised for its strong performances, particularly from lead actor “Beat” Takeshi Kitano and for its complex exploration of yakuza culture & politics.
The film was a commercial success in Japan and gained a strong following among fans of Japanese cinema. It was also screened at several international film festivals, including the Cannes Film Festival, where it received a positive response from audiences.
About the Director – Takeshi Kitano
Takeshi Kitano is a Japanese actor, comedian and filmmaker who was born on January 18, 1947 in Adachi, Tokyo, Japan. He is well known internationally for his filmmaking, predominantly exploring the Japanese Yakuza gangster genre.
Kitano began his career as a comedian and television host in the 1970s, initially rising to prominence as one half of the comedy duo “Two Beat”; which is where he gained his popular nickname Beat Takeshi.
He made his directing debut in 1989 with the film “Violent Cop” after a sudden directorial change. The originally intended director, Kinji Fukasaku had to step down due to a scheduling conflict. Kitano also played the leading role in this film.
Other Yakuza Related Films by Takeshi Kitano
Some of Takeshi Kitano’s other yakuza focused movies include:
- Sonatine (1993) – A yakuza film about a group of gangsters who are sent to Okinawa to discuss terms to end a gang war.
- Hana-bi (1997) – Accompanied by his terminally ill wife, a retired police detective named Yoshitaka Nishi embarks on a journey of redemption following the death of his detective partner. He borrows money from the Yakuza to pay for his wife’s care and is unable to repay the debt.
- Brother (2000) – A yakuza member named Yamamoto is exiled to Los Angeles and reunited with his estranged younger brother. His brother is a member of a gang that Yamamoto seeks to inspire in order to expand their influence within the criminal underworld.
- Zatoichi (2003) – In 19th century Japan, a blind masseur & talented swordsman named Zatoichi becomes caught in the middle of a feud between two rival yakuza clans.
