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Young Yakuza

Play trailer Poster for Young Yakuza 2007 1h 39m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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30% Tomatometer 10 Reviews 31% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
This documentary follows aimless 20-year-old Naoki Watanabe, who talks his mother into letting him join a local group of yakuza in an attempt to learn some structure and discipline. The criminals are controlled by Mr. Kumagai, who worries that changing times and increased police action will bring an end to the yakuza lifestyle. After a haircut, Naoki begins his training, which is centered on rituals and boring tasks. When he is given a day off, Naoki disappears.

Critics Reviews

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Jeff Shannon Seattle Times 05/23/2008
2.5/4
Ultimately the viewer is left in the same bind as the filmmakers: wishing we'd been able to follow Naoki's apprenticeship to its traditional conclusion and beyond. Go to Full Review V.A. Musetto New York Post 04/18/2008
2/4
If you're expecting a real-life version of a bloody Takashi Miike movie, forget it. Go to Full Review Neil Genzlinger New York Times 04/18/2008
4/5
Jean-Pierre Limosin's Young Yakuza looks at Japan's version of the Mafia. Go to Full Review Don Willmott Filmcritic.com 06/19/2008
2.5/5
You may be curious about what they're up to when the cameras are turned off, but you'll never find out. Go to Full Review Bill White Seattle Post-Intelligencer 05/23/2008
C
Plays more like a bad feature than a documentary. Go to Full Review Matthew Nestel Boxoffice Magazine 04/16/2008
4/5
Juggling restraint and boldness to tackle this subject on many unexpected layers establishes this work as a brilliant effort. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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12/31/2010 An inside look on modern Yakuza. One of my favourite documentaries of all time. This movie shows the non-violent lifstyle of the Yakuza. See more 12/10/2009 A look into the non-criminal aspects of the Japanese mafia. Definately eye opening in terms of the hierarchy structure, customs and duties of the yakuza. I just wish this movie touched upon the criminal aspect as well. See more 06/08/2009 shallow, boring, doesn't really say anything... too bad. See more 04/21/2009 La vie quotidienne d'un yakuza. Un documentaire interessant, avec une vision moins romanesque. See more 03/06/2009 pretending to be deep and revealing, but it only scratches the surface. documentary or fiction - i don't really care, the characters aren't that bad, but that is not enough for a good film. If you think you'll get to know the yakuza by watching this you will be extremely disappointed. so... go watch Crows ep. Zero instead! ;) See more 01/04/2009 A not-so-gripping, yet somewhat informative look into modern Yakuza societies. The small clan featured in this documentary do not do anything illegal, but various traditions and their high regard for respect is portrayed quite well. Furthermore, you get a general idea of what life is like in a country where organized crime is somewhat legitimized and an accepted part of society... See more Read all reviews
Young Yakuza

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Cast & Crew

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Sally Jo Fifer

Executive Producer

Julien Hirsch

Cinematographer

Céline Bozon

Cinematographer

Tina Baz

Film Editing

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Young Yakuza

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Movie Info

Synopsis This documentary follows aimless 20-year-old Naoki Watanabe, who talks his mother into letting him join a local group of yakuza in an attempt to learn some structure and discipline. The criminals are controlled by Mr. Kumagai, who worries that changing times and increased police action will bring an end to the yakuza lifestyle. After a haircut, Naoki begins his training, which is centered on rituals and boring tasks. When he is given a day off, Naoki disappears.
Production Co
ITVS (Independent Television Services), Celluloid Dreams
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
root
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 26, 2017
Runtime
1h 39m