極道記者 (1993): Besetzung, Handlung & Streaming

Released in 1993, 極道記者 is a krimi film directed by Rokurō Mochizuki, running about 100 minutes.

What it’s about. More than his indie debut Skinless Night, this was the film that launched Mochizuki on his distinctive trajectory through the crime and yakuza genres. Matsuzaki (Eiji Okuda) is a racing tipster for a sports paper, a lowlife who spends half his time drunk, hangs out with yakuza and other riff-raff and complicates his sex life by succumbing to advances from his girlfriend's sister. As played by Okuda, he's also a figure of considerable hangdog charm. Less a plot-based movie than a guide to the several forms of high stakes gambling in Japan, this centres on his attempt to help a friend swindled in a bent mahjong game. Hakuryu appears (memorably) as an inscrutable yakuza in a black leather jacket. The film's success led to two sequels.

Who’s in it. 極道記者 stars Eiji Okuda, Hakuryu, Ren Osugi and Toshiyuki Kitami, among others.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch 極道記者 page.

If you liked it. Fans of 極道記者 tend to enjoy Die Verurteilten, Der Pate, Der Pate - Teil II and The Dark Knight.