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Retaliation

Name: Retaliation
Director: Yasuharu Hasebe
Released: 1968
Duration: 94 min

Representation Score

2.9/10

Limited

1968

Not Rated

Director

Yasuharu Hasebe

Runtime

94 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Retaliation is a crime drama that emphasizes the mechanics of organized crime and traditional masculine power dynamics. The story centers on the volatility of institutional loyalty and the erosion of social bonds within the Japanese underworld. While the film offers a nuanced look at systemic corruption and the erosion of honor, it does not engage with the complexities of multi-layered identity. The representation is deeply rooted in its specific 1968 historical and cultural context. Ultimately, the film focuses on the cyclical nature of violence and competition, rather than demographic diversity or challenging modern social hierarchies.

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Category Breakdown

Does Retaliation have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film adheres to traditional masculine themes typical of the 1968 yakuza genre. It does not feature any LGBTQ+ characters or narratives that challenge the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender.

How does Retaliation portray gender?

Limited

The story focuses on male-dominated hierarchies and gang politics. It does not show women in roles where they have significant influence or control.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Retaliation?

Fair

As a Japanese production, the film portrays a culturally uniform society. It does not use actors from diverse ethnic backgrounds to enhance the narrative.

How does Retaliation represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film examines the breakdown of traditional structures and the decline of gang loyalty. It presents a cynical view of social order without glorifying it.

Does Retaliation include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no evidence of characters with visible or invisible disabilities within the film's profile.

Present on Screen

Offers a nuanced depiction of the collapse of traditional criminal brotherhoods.
Explores the tension between historical codes of honor and systemic corruption.

Limited or Absent

Lacks representation of women in positions of authority or control.
Does not include LGBTQ+ narratives or diverse ethnic casting.
Fails to address disability representation within the character profiles.

Official Synopsis

Emerging from a stint in prison, yakuza lieutenant Sumukawa discovers that his gang has disintegrated. An ambitious type, he quickly hooks up with another gang who promise him a prominent position if he helps them deal with a rival family. But bonds are made to be broken, and pledges of loyalty soon give way to competition, betrayal and — naturally — retaliation.

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