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Why Don't You Play in Hell? (2013)

Why Don't You Play in Hell? (2013)

A ragtag crew makes the film of their dreams with a former child star and the yakuza in this ode to old-school gritty action films

7.2

Movie

Japan
Japanese
Action, Comedy, Drama
2013
SION SONO
Akaji Maro, Akihiro Kitamura, Akira Yamamoto
130 min

TLDR

People say that it takes a miracle to make a film. This is one heck of a miracle.

What it's about

A group of gonzo filmmakers hatch a three-pronged plan to save the acting career of child star Mitsuko, end a yakuza war between Muto’s and Ikegami’s clans, and make a hit movie.

The take

Sure, it takes a special type of crazy to try to make it in the movies, especially if you’ve been at it for ten years without any sort of premiere, but the strangely persistent four-man production of Why Don’t You Play in Hell? takes this to even crazier heights, involving a yakuza gang war and potentially their lives. Writer-director Sion Sono infuses his signature gore with much more playful comedy, slinging together chaotic action scenes through the pure power of cool, and the entire roster’s enthusiasm for cinema is just so infectious, it’s compelling to watch, even when the plotlines don’t fully mesh well. Why Don't You Play in Hell? is such a fun tribute to gritty action filmmaking.

What stands out

How much fake blood, exactly, was used for this film? It’s actually insane.

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