Brother (2000)

A Japanese gangster is exiled to Los Angeles where his brother lives with a small but respectable multi-racial gang, who he inspires to expand their influence.

Director:

Takeshi Kitano

Writer:

Takeshi Kitano

Stars:

Takeshi Kitano, Claude Maki, Omar Epps

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Takeshi Kitano	...	Aniki Yamamoto (as 'Beat' Takeshi)
Omar Epps	...	Denny
Claude Maki	...	Ken
Masaya Katô	...	Shirase
Susumu Terajima	...	Kato
Royale Watkins	...	Jay
Lombardo Boyar	...	Mo
Ren Osugi	...	Harada (as Ren Ôsugi)
Ryo Ishibashi	...	Ishihara
James Shigeta	...	Sugimoto
Tatyana Ali	...	Latifa (as Tatyana M. Ali)
Makoto Ôtake	...	Chief of Police
Kôen Okumura	...	Hanaoka
Naomasa Musaka	...	Hisamatsu
Rino Katase	...	Night Club Madame

Storyline

A Japanese Yakuza gangster is exiled to the United States. Takeshi settles in Los Angeles where his younger, half brother lives and finds that although the turf is new, the rules are still the same as they try to take over the local drug trade.

---

Plot Keywords:

yakuza | los angeles california | california | directed by star | gangster | 

---

Taglines:

The one guy you trust to get your back when a whole city's trying to put a bullet in it.

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for pervasive strong violence, language and brief nudity

Did You Know?

Trivia

Impressed with Europeans' interest in the yakuza, Takeshi Kitano wrote what he described as an old-fashioned yakuza film. To greater contrast the character against more familiar elements, he set it in a foreign country, choosing Los Angeles as a place-holder. When producer Jeremy Thomas asked Kitano if he was interested in foreign productions, Kitano told him about the script. Thomas promised him complete creative control, which Kitano said he got.

---

Goofs

The car that explodes is a Lexus. When the gang see the flaming wreck, it's a different car.

---

Quotes

Mo: What are you guys gonna do?
Ken: Cut his finger off.
Mo: What happens when you cut his finger off?
Kato: Ummm... he can't swim straight anymore.
[smiles]

---

Alternate Versions

US version was heavily cut for violence to be in accordance with MPAA demands for a "R" rating.

---

Connections

Referenced in Antikiller 2: Antiterror (2003)

---

Soundtracks

Casta Diva che inargenti
from "Norma"
Music by Vincenzo Bellini
Words by Felice Romani

User Reviews

Absolute genius.

When I rented Takeshi Kitano's stunning masterpiece brother, it was simply because I wanted to get myself further immersed in Asian cinema. Although, I'm was a little bit iffy because of the fact that Omar Epps was in it, and I was worried that it would be some piece of americanized garbage. But when I watched it,I was completely blown away. It was intelligent without being terribly confusing, and it was violent without being overly gross. This is one of the best movies I have ever seen, and is quite possibly one of the greatest films ever made. The story concerns Aniki Yamomoto (Takeshi kitano, under the name Beat Takeshi) who joins a very well-to-do yakuza family in japan. But when a price is put on his head, he flees to America, to set up shop there with his younger brother Ken (kuroudo Maki under the name Claude Maki) and his gang, which includes a black man named Denny (Omar Epps). They run into trouble with other mobs in the city, but Aniki's style of war brings them on a steady inclination to the top. Underrated and under-appreciated, this little gem is definitely a good one to own, as it is truly a cinematic masterpiece.

Details

Official Sites:

BAC Films (english / japanese / french) [France] OFFICE KITANO INC. (japanese, english) [Japan]

Country:

USA UK Japan

Language:

English Japanese Italian Spanish

Release Date:

27 January 2001 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Brother

Filming Locations:

Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$60,029, 22 July 2001

Gross USA:

$450,594

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$15,250,594

Company Credits

Production Co:

Recorded Picture Company (RPC), Office Kitano, Bandai Visual Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1