Special Series

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Vengeance is Mine

復讐するは我にあり

Directed by: Shohei Imamura
1979 / 140 minutes / R 18+

The making of a murderer: the true story behind one of Japan’s most twisted criminals

Lawyer, professor and occasional lover; these are the pretentious masks Iwao Enokizu wears to conceal his true identity as Japan’s most wanted serial killer! Based on Akira Nishiguchi’s shocking killings and subsequent manhunt in 1963, Vengeance is Mine trails the murderer’s thrilling 78-day crime spree. A religiously devoted yet sinful family decide to shelter Enokizu despite knowing he is a murderer, revealing a reality where primitive urge, modern life and religious belief intertwine. 

Beyond the true crime story, Imamura skilfully portrays the intricacies of human nature, where even the veneer of progress and modernity cannot conceal deep-seated urges and shame. Rich with masterful performances by acclaimed actors Ken Ogata and Mayumi Ogawa, Vengeance is Mine won multiple accolades, including Best Picture Award at the Japan Academy Film Prize. Morbid and unsettling, Imamura delivers a chilling exploration of the human psyche and moral ambiguity.