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A gentle samurai on a mission to take revenge on his father's death. To kill or not to kill - that is the question. Hirokazu Kore-eda's most recent release - and his first period film - is a decidedly unconventional samurai film. It follows an inept warrior, unable to avenge his father's killing, but soon awakened to his actual calling in life. Kore-eda admits this film is his response to the climate of revenge overwhelming the world since the September 11 attacks. “Vivacious and strewn with humour, Hana speaks the language of today and conveys a message of hope and serenity that crosses the boundaries of its temporal setting.” - Toronto Film Festival Starring Tadanobu Asano in his third appearance in a Kore-eda film following Maborosi and Distance.

D/S Hirokazu Kore-Eda P Shiho Sato, Nozomu Enoki WS Shochiku Co. Ltd L Japanese w/English subtitles TD 35mm/2006/127mins