Chapter 53: Infernal Affairs Begins! Kinji Fukasaku VS Nagisa Oshima!

If there is anything that feels truly agonizing, a winter morning is definitely one of them.

It is simply impossible to want to get out of bed.

Koki Mitani felt the exact same way, especially since he had spent the entire previous night writing a script.

The original script just wouldn't do!

He absolutely had to surpass that man, Takeshi Iwata!

Having already regarded that fierce-looking fellow as his lifelong rival, Mitani had seemed to burst with an infinite well of strength lately.

Yet, why couldn't he sleep just a little bit longer?

All because of a single film: *Infernal Affairs*!

Even Mitani himself had never expected to be invited to serve on a review panel. When he first heard the news, he was absolutely thrilled.

He was brimming with curiosity about this movie, and to top it all off, Akina had been invited to star in it.

If it turns out to be a piece of trash, hmph! Iwata-san, I certainly won't let you off the hook!

And if this movie actually turns out to be... could it possibly surpass *Violent Cop*?

In any case, getting to watch this film at the very earliest opportunity was simply wonderful.

Thus, Koki Mitani arrived early at the entrance of Iwanami Shoten, never expecting to run into acquaintances.

Mika Ando from *Kinema Junpo*, and Ryoko Kobayashi from *Film Art*.

"Oh, Ando-san, Kobayashi-san, are you two also..."

"That's right. I'm quite surprised to run into Mitani-san here."

"I'm not surprised to see Mitani-san at all, but I certainly didn't expect to bump into Ando-san."

Mitani had merely offered a casual greeting, never imagining it would nearly spark a small-scale war.

Ever since Ando and Kobayashi had crossed paths last time, they had both written articles about the film *Violent Cop*.

Although both reviews praised the movie as exceptionally brilliant, their interpretations of certain scenes were worlds apart.

Which scenes?

The scenes where the protagonist, Ryosuke Imazu, is 'walking'.

Why on earth did the male lead keep walking back and forth?

The two female film critics argued endlessly. Not only did they publish opposing pieces in their respective magazines, but once, when invited as guests on a television program, they ended up debating on the spot.

In short, neither could ever convince the other.

Aware of this situation, Mitani was a smart man, and he grasped the situation from their brief exchanges.

So, what on earth was the meaning behind these recurring 'walking' shots?

Well, approximately, presumably, it probably wasn't just to pad out the movie's runtime.

Mitani thought to himself, yet he knew clearly that a war between women was not something a guy like him could handle.

Consequently, he could only smile and awkwardly play the role of a background bystander.

Fortunately, more people arrived at the Iwanami Shoten.

"Ah, everyone is already here. Why don't you all step inside and have a cup of coffee?"

As the store manager, Akira Yamaguchi naturally needed to properly host the judges arriving today, though he could certainly feel the combative aura between the two female critics.

Ando and Kobayashi couldn't resolve their dispute on the spot. Being clever women, they realized that continuing to argue would be too impolite, so they promptly steered the conversation elsewhere.

"This review panel won't be composed of the exact same people as last time, will it?"

"Director Fukasaku will definitely come, but what about the others? Will Jissoji-sensei be coming?"

This was a good topic. The arrangement of the review panel members was actually quite important, and the three of them—Mitani and the two women—were simply no match for Kinji Fukasaku.

Akira Yamaguchi was just about to speak when someone else arrived.

"Ah, good morning, Mitani-san, Sister Ando, Sister Kobayashi, Yamaguchi-san."

Shinobu greeted everyone very obediently. Naturally, her older sister, Miho Nakayama, followed right behind her.

Although blackmailed by her younger sister, Miho still wore a radiant smile in front of outsiders, maintaining the poise of a great beauty.

The moment the sisters appeared, Mitani and the others struck up a conversation, naturally shifting the topic to Miho's television dramas and songs.

Sure enough, adorable as Shinobu was, she still couldn't overshadow her older sister Miho.

The great beauty was quite pleased, but just then, a Porsche drove up and its window rolled down.

"Hello everyone, are you all here to attend this review meeting?"

Akina smiled brightly, her demeanor exceptionally warm and approachable.

"Of course, of course."

"Akina, could you give us a hint about the character you're playing this time?"

"Oh, by the way, is Akina looking for a parking spot? Please come this way."

In an instant, the entire focus shifted away from Miho and onto Akina.

Miho's heart felt thoroughly chilled...

Damn it! She's even driving a sports car! How dashing!

One day, I'll have one too!

Watching closely from the side, Shinobu didn't say much; she simply covered her mouth, afraid she might burst out laughing.

Mitani, on the other hand, felt completely different. Embodying a fan's mentality, he felt that being able to serve as a judge this time was simply fantastic.

Takeshi Iwata, I have to hand it to you—you've got an eye for talent!

Was he secretly praising his lifelong rival in his heart?

While Akina went to park her car, a white-haired old man wearing a sharply tailored suit and burgundy sunglasses arrived.

"Good morning, everyone," he said with a somewhat frivolous attitude.

Upon seeing him, everyone except Shinobu turned serious.

"Good morning, Director Fukasaku!"

"Fukasaku-sensei, thank you for your hard work!"

"Fukasaku-sensei, are you planning to direct another art film for your new project?"

White hair and burgundy sunglasses—these were his trademarks, Kinji Fukasaku!

As a renowned director, his talent was universally recognized in Japan. Within the current landscape of Shochiku, probably only Director Yoji Yamada could reliably outshine him.

His arrival naturally made him the new center of attention.

However, Koki Mitani felt a heavy wave of pressure washing over him.

Clearly, judging by the current members of the panel, Mitani and the two female critics were simply no match for Kinji Fukasaku!

They couldn't compete at all; this man was simply too formidable.

He couldn't help casting his gaze toward Akira Yamaguchi, desperately wishing to revisit the earlier question: Who else was on the review panel?

In Mitani's view, if they were using the exact same lineup as last time... Akio Jissoji still couldn't surpass Kinji Fukasaku.

Even with the addition of Tamasaburo Bando V, it still wouldn't be enough.

What should he do?

Just as he was pondering this, two more people arrived.

"Good morning, everyone! Good morning, Fukasaku-sensei."

Shigeya Tanitani was very polite, but the person accompanying him drew even more of everyone's attention.

He was also an elderly man. His hair was clearly dyed, his suit was impeccably neat, and he wore rimless glasses. The most distinctive feature was his mouth, with the corners turned down sharply, giving him an unapproachable expression.

Yet, everyone knew instantly that this was Nagisa Oshima!

Well, Shinobu still didn't know who he was.

With the appearance of Nagisa Oshima, however, Mitani inexplicably felt a lot more secure.

"Oshima-san, it's been a while."

"Fukasaku-san, I heard the box office for your new film hasn't been doing so well."

"Oh, haha... Is that a problem? Still better than some people who don't even have a new film out."

"As expected, you're still the same old Fukasaku-san I know."

Were Kinji Fukasaku and Nagisa Oshima about to start throwing blows right then and there?

"Teachers, it's cold outside. Let's go inside, have some coffee, and chat slowly," Tanitani intervened with a smile to smooth things over.

In fact, this fellow's goal had already been achieved.

Inviting Nagisa Oshima was specifically meant to keep Kinji Fukasaku in check!

Otherwise, how could this review panel even be taken seriously?

Inviting Nagisa Oshima had an even deeper significance, as this celebrated director wasn't actually affiliated with Toho; instead, he had historical ties to Shochiku, and currently operated as an independent director.

This made things far more impartial.

With the review panel now complete, everyone was simply waiting for the print.

For now, they headed inside to enjoy some coffee and warm up.

Just as they were about to enter Iwanami Shoten, a small van pulled up right in front of the store.

The door slid open, and a fierce-looking man stepped out of the vehicle, carrying a large iron case in his hand.

It was none other than Takeshi Iwata!

...

Inside the cinema on the third floor of Iwanami Shoten, business had not yet officially begun.

A review session for the film *Infernal Affairs* was currently underway.

Kinji Fukasaku sat in his chair with a composed, unflappable expression, as if the movie before him was completely beneath his notice.

In fact, he had already made up his mind to pick the film apart mercilessly!

Yet, unexpectedly, the moment the screening room plunged into darkness and the film began to play, the veteran director's expression shifted.

After the bold characters for *Infernal Affairs* faded, two lines of smaller text appeared on screen:

*In the Avici Hell, one experiences myriad eons of suffering, dying and being reborn a countless number of times.*

*Entering the path of Avici, cutting off all vexations, one may attain liberation.*

Wasn't this supposed to be a gangster movie?

Before Director Kinji Fukasaku could even process his thoughts, a single shot struck him like a physical blow.

"Moshi moshi."

"Very well."

"I need you to understand one thing: just who the hell are you?"

At first, it seemed merely to be a man soaking in a hot spring, but as he stood up, a carved 'Buddha head' tattoo slowly rose from the water's surface.

This visual prompt made Kinji Fukasaku unable to help himself; he instinctively reached up and ruffled his white hair.

It was a tattoo! But it was so much more than just a tattoo!

Kinji Fukasaku could completely perceive the complex layers of meaning embedded within that single shot.

It wasn't merely there to echo the film's title; paired with the distant autumn-red hues of the mountain scenery, it felt symbolic of mountains of blades and seas of fire, or perhaps the Avici Hell itself.

The intense visual impact forced anyone watching to wonder: Who is this person? What do his words actually mean?

Suddenly, the camera cut away, revealing a chase and escape sequence.

"Don't you dare try to avenge me!"

First police officers, and then incoming Yakuza—as an elderly bald man breathed his last, he clutched desperately at someone's hand.

That person was shown only from behind, yet that single back shot carried an inexplicable sense of shock!

During the earlier fight, their clothing had torn, revealing the tattoo beneath.

A fierce demon biting down on a short blade seemed ready to burst forth at any second!

This rapid sequence of shots was simple, direct, and bursting with tension, giving even Kinji Fukasaku a breathless sensation.

At that exact moment, the camera shifted to a full frontal view, and this fierce man appeared expressionlessly on the giant screen!

Kinji Fukasaku couldn't help muttering to himself: Kid Takeshi Iwata, you've really got some chops.