Black Belt (DVD) (US Version) DVD Region 1

Just from the title, it is clear that Kuru-Obi (a.k.a. Black Belt) is another entry in the martial arts film genre, but what stands out is the director attached to the project: Nagasaki Shunichi. The pioneering director of Heart, beating in the dark and A Tender Place, Nagasaki is perhaps one of Japan cinema's best-kept secrets - a highly accomplished filmmaker esteemed in arthouse circuits, but less familiar to western and mainstream viewers. After the great acclaim for his 2005 masterpiece Heart, beating in the dark, a tremendous follow-up to his own controversial 1982 classic, Nagasaki's choice to go karate for his next film may seem unexpected, but Kuru-Obi is undeniably a Nagasaki Shunichi film.

Intense and minimalist, Kuru-Obi follows the physical and spiritual journeys of three karate journeymen in militaristic 1930s Japan. With the non-professional leads being black belts in real life, the film's martial art sequences are as strong and straightforward as they come, but equally important is the philosophy behind the moves, and the internal and external conflicts brought about by violence. Kuru-Obi is also notably forthcoming about the historical background of the time, clearly setting up the militaristic atmosphere and corrupting forces surrounding the characters.

Giryu (Yagi Akihito), Taikan (Naka Tatsuya), and Choei (Suzuki Yuji) study karate at a reclusive dojo in 1932 Kyushu under master Shibahara (Owada Shinya). When the military come to take over their dojo, the students resist and peace-loving Giryu easily fends off military commander Tanahara (Hakuryu) in a duel. Shamed by his loss, Tanahara commits seppuku, and his wife and daughter come looking for revenge. Hoping to put an end to the violence, Giryu allows himself to be stabbed and incurs near mortal wounds. Taikan, meanwhile, can only submit to orders when the military return with guns. Joining the army as an instructor, Taikan becomes increasingly aggressive and brutal as he seeks higher opponents. His downward spiral paves the way to a showdown with former comrade Giryu who must learn to fight again.

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Product Title:	Black Belt (DVD) (US Version) 黑帶 (DVD) (美國版) 黑带 (DVD) (美国版) Black Belt (US Version) Black Belt (US Version)
Also known as:	Kuro-Obi Kuro-Obi Kuro-Obi Kuro-Obi Kuro-Obi
Artist Name(s):	Yagi Akiko (Actor) | Kenji Anan (Actor) Yagi Akiko (Actor) | Kenji Anan (Actor) Yagi Akiko (Actor) | Kenji Anan (Actor) 八木亜希子 (Actor) | Kenji Anan (Actor) Yagi Akiko (Actor) | Kenji Anan (Actor)
Director:	Nagasaki Shunichi Nagasaki Shunichi Nagasaki Shunichi 長崎俊一 Nagasaki Shunichi
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Release Date:	2008-11-18
Language:	Japanese
Subtitles:	English
Country of Origin:	Japan
Picture Format:	NTSC What is it?
Color Information:	Color
Disc Format(s):	DVD
Region Code:	1 - USA, Canada, U.S. Territories What is it?
Rating:	Not Rated
Publisher:	Media Blasters
Package Weight:	110 (g)
Shipment Unit:	1 What is it?
YesAsia Catalog No.:	1011977430

Director: Shunichi Nagasaki

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Widescreen
Audio:
Dolby Digital - Japanese