While I was working, I noticed that “Cops vs. Thugs“ (1975, directed by Kinji Fukasaku, screenplay by Kazuo Kasahara) was being live-streamed for free on an official YouTube channel. Even though I caught it halfway through, I couldn’t stop watching.

It’s a bromance movie about a “no-good cop” and a “no-good yakuza.” Re-watching it now, the direction and composition are just brilliant.

For example, the scene where the corrupt relationship between the police and the yakuza falls apart—the shift in the power balance through their verbal sparring is staged so dynamically with beautiful framing (and in a long take!). Also, the violent scene where they writhe around in blood to the BGM of the song “Konnichiwa Akachan(Hello Baby)”  playing on TV is absolutely incredible. The “over-the-top” and intense facial acting by Bunta Sugawara and Hiroki Matsukata is just great.

Later, the novel “All the Light We Cannot See“ (Anthony Doerr), which my friend recommended, arrived. It’s a paperback as thick as a slice of Texas toast, so I’m a bit worried if I can finish it. Once I’m done reading, I’ll watch the Netflix series.