Bosatsu: Shimoyama Jiken (1981)
Directed by Kei Kumai
Genres - Mystery |
Sub-Genres - Detective Film, Docudrama, Political Drama |
Run Time - 132 min. |
Countries - Japan |
MPAA Rating - NR
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Synopsis by Hal Erickson
Released outside of Japan as Willful Murder, this is based on an actual 1948 case involving the mysterious death of a government official. The president of the Japanese railroads is found dead during a period in which train service is plagued by numerous layoffs, strikes and shutdowns. The government says that the president was murdered; the police claim it was a suicide. A quizzical reporter follows the case for years, but the basic question remains unanswered: was the victim killed by members of the burgeoning Communist movement in Japan, or was the death stage-managed by the authorities in hopes of discrediting the Communists?
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Themes
Keywords
government, investigation, Japanese [nationality], murder, reporter, suicide, Communist-party