Director
Shigehiro Ozawa
Writer
Shigehiro Ozawa, Hajime Koiwa
Cast
Shin'ichi “Sonny” Chiba, Yoko Ichiji
Mercenary martial-arts master Takuma Tsurugi (renamed Terry Sugury in the English version) finds himself embroiled in an American mafia plot and must once again confront his nemesis, Tateki Shikenbaru, aka Junjo, in SATSUJIN KEN 2, also known by the titles RETURN OF THE STREET FIGHTER and MY NUNCHAKU. Directed back-to-back by Shigehiro Ozawa, THE STREET FIGHTER (1974) and its sequels are films with a flair for stylized violence and over-the-top direction, not to mention a funky score by Toshiaki Tsushima.
Don Costello, the American mob boss in RETURN OF THE STREET FIGHTER, is played with panache by Quebec writer, producer, director, and jack of all trades Claude Gagnon. Few clues predicted such a role in his filmography, which includes such titles as KARAKARA (2012), KAMATAKI (2005), LE PIANISTE (1991), KENNY/THE KID BROTHER (1987), VISAGE P LE (1985) and LAROSE, PIERROT ET LA LUCE (1982). Yet Claude Gagnon not only plays an important role in the production, he also fights Sonny Chiba to the death at the end.
Gagnon says, “I was shooting my first short at the now defunct Daiei Studios in Kyoto. My technicians told me that they were looking for a foreigner with a scowl on his face to shoot at Toei Studios... As I spoke Japanese and seemed to have the physique for the job, they thought of me. After that, I became friends with the assistant directors and whenever they needed a ‘bad gaijin,’ they called on me. That's how I ended up acting in three Ozawa features, RETURN OF THE STREET FIGHTER (1974), SISTER STREET FIGHTER (1975) and RASHAMEN O YUKI (1977).” Gagnon will be present at the screening to talk about this incredible filming experience and answer questions from the audience. – Translation: Rupert Bottenberg
Showings
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