Branded To Kill

Seijun Suzuki's great absurdist thriller is about an illusory struggle for status in the underworld, as the 'Number 3 Killer' sets himself on becoming 'Number 1'.

The 'Number 3 Killer' in the underworld (whey-faced Jo Shishido), who is sexually aroused by the smell of steamed rice, is so set on becoming 'Number 1' that he bungles a job and finds everyone gunning for him - including his wife and the actual 'Number 1'. Jim Jarmusch and many others have paid homage to Suzuki's absurdist masterpiece; Japanese students once marched to support it.

Directed by:

Seijun Suzuki

Cast:

Jo Shishido, Mariko Ogawa, Koji Nanbara

Country:

Japan

Year:

1967

Running time:

91min