Graveyard Of Honor (2002)

Graveyard Of Honor (2002) follows the tumultuous journey of Ichikawa, a barkeeper who becomes entangled in the world of the Yakuza after saving the life of a powerful crime lord, Sawada. This act of bravery propels Ichikawa up the ranks of the organization, but his fearless and impulsive nature soon leads to complications. Directed by Takashi Miike, this film is a modern adaptation of Kinji Fukasaku's 1975 classic, set against the backdrop of Japan's economic boom of the 1980s and the subsequent economic downturn of the 1990s. The story begins with Ichikawa (Goro Kishitani) heroically intervening in a violent shootout at a Chinese restaurant, earning the gratitude of Sawada (Shingo Yamashiro), who appoints him as his underboss. Ichikawa's reckless behavior and quick temper quickly become apparent, culminating in a brutal encounter with Chieko (Narimi Arimori), whom he rapes in a hostess club. Despite this traumatic event, Chieko develops feelings for Ichikawa. While in prison for killing a loan defaulter, Ichikawa befriends Imamura (Ryosuke Miki), a lieutenant from a rival gang. Upon his release, both Sawada and Chieko are there to welcome him back. Ichikawa's meteoric rise through the gang hierarchy is marked by a series of violent incidents and misunderstandings, ultimately leading to his downfall over a dispute involving a ten-million-yen loan. His volatile temperament not only jeopardizes his own position but also harms those closest to him.