Fireworks
1997 · Movie · R · 103 min · ★ 7.7 · 90% critics
A beleaguered police detective tries to make things right after tragedy leaves his partner paralyzed and his wife seriously ill. Desperate for money, he borrows from a yakuza loan shark and then robs a bank to clear his debt, setting dangerous forces in motion.
Also known as Hana-bi
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Details
- Original title
- HANA-BI
- Years
- 1997
- Release date
- 1997-10-30
- Language
- Japanese
- Rated
- R
- Runtime
- 103 min
- Critic score
- 90/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.7/10 (776 votes)
- Box office
- $500,000
About
If you enjoy dark neo-noir and emotional drama with bursts of violence, Fireworks/Hana-bi may hit hard, Not for you if you need lots of dialogue or fast, logical plotting—try Sonatine or Outrage instead.
Pros: bleakly poetic tone; strong lead performance; beautiful Japanese scenery | Cons: dialogue can be sparse; slow or repetitive pacing; violence may feel excessive
Themes
- sea
- farewell
- beach
- gambling
- yakuza
- loss
Awards & recognition
- European Film Award — Best Non-European Film · 1997
- Golden Lion · 1997
- Independent Spirit Award — Best Foreign Film · 1999 · nominated
- Japan Academy Prize — Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role · 1999 · nominated
- Japan Academy Prize — Picture of the Year · 1999 · nominated
Show all 11 awards →
- Japan Academy Prize — Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role · 1999 · nominated
- Japan Academy Prize — Director of the Year · 1999 · nominated
- Japan Academy Prize — Screenplay of the Year · 1999 · nominated
- César Award — Best Foreign Film · 1998 · nominated
- National Society of Film Critics Award — Best Foreign Language Film · 1998 · nominated
- European Film Award — Best Non-European Film · 1997 · nominated
Cast & crew
Takeshi Kitano
as Yoshitaka Nishi
Kayoko Kishimoto
as Nishi's Wife
Ren Osugi
as Horibe
Susumu Terajima
as Nakamura
Tetsu Watanabe
as Junkyard Owner
Hakuryu
as Yakuza Hitman
Yasuei Yakushiji
as Criminal
Tarô Itsumi
as Kudo
Kenichi Yajima
as Doctor
Makoto Ashikawa
as Tanaka
Directed by Takeshi Kitano