Watched this a few months ago on World Movies. Beautiful movie, though quite sad and melancholy at times. It's a Takeshi Kitano movie (yeah, the guy from Takeshi's Castle), and if you haven't seen any of his other movies (Takeshis', Sontaine, Kikujiro, etc.) then you probably don't know that he is considered to be a hugely talented actor and director.
A Must watch for lovers of Asian Cinema.
*From Wikipedia*
Hana-bi (はなび HANA-BI?), released in the US as "Fireworks", is a 1997 Japanese film written, directed and edited by, and starring Japanese filmmaker Takeshi Kitano. The film's score was composed by renowned Japanese composer, Joe Hisaishi. This was their fourth collaboration. Hana-bi (花火 Hanabi?) is the Japanese word for "fireworks".
Kitano plays Nishi, a violent and unpredictable ex-police detective who quits the force after a terrible incident that results in his partner, Horibe (Ren Osugi), being confined to a wheelchair. After his retirement he spends much of his time looking after his wife Miyuki (Kayoko Kishimoto), who has leukemia. The film moves at a deliberate pace and devotes much time to exploring their relationship. Nishi has also borrowed money from the Yakuza to pay for his wife's needs, and is having difficulty repaying them. Meanwhile, Horibe takes up painting and creates works of art that are surrealistic and beautiful.
A Must watch for lovers of Asian Cinema.
*From Wikipedia*
Hana-bi (はなび HANA-BI?), released in the US as "Fireworks", is a 1997 Japanese film written, directed and edited by, and starring Japanese filmmaker Takeshi Kitano. The film's score was composed by renowned Japanese composer, Joe Hisaishi. This was their fourth collaboration. Hana-bi (花火 Hanabi?) is the Japanese word for "fireworks".
Kitano plays Nishi, a violent and unpredictable ex-police detective who quits the force after a terrible incident that results in his partner, Horibe (Ren Osugi), being confined to a wheelchair. After his retirement he spends much of his time looking after his wife Miyuki (Kayoko Kishimoto), who has leukemia. The film moves at a deliberate pace and devotes much time to exploring their relationship. Nishi has also borrowed money from the Yakuza to pay for his wife's needs, and is having difficulty repaying them. Meanwhile, Horibe takes up painting and creates works of art that are surrealistic and beautiful.
