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Prior to 2014, I had not been hugely familar with director Mitsutake Kurando’s work. Then, following Samurai Avenger: The Blind Wolf in 2009, Gun Woman happened and it essentially, vociferously, put him on my radar as I’m sure it did for many folks in festivals as well as other niche viewers who may all agree on the consensus here: His is a no holds barred, unapologetic, down and dirty, retro style of direction, done so with a sheer sense of clarity and understanding on how to assemble an action film, and importantly, without selling his performers short. It’s a quality that no less accomodates actor Hayate, essentially a fresh face in front of the camera following a small bit role in Kaneko Shunsuke’s Danger Dolls several years earlier, and having since made headway with the new movie, Karate Kill. Hayate makes his lead debut in the film with a script […]

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