Hazard
He always wanted to fly, but had no wings.
Can’t really describe how long I had been searching for a movie with this kind of vibe, but I’m glad I finally found it. Hazard is a beautiful Japanese film about the not-so-beautiful, vulnerable life of gangsters.
Despite being directed by Sion Sono, a Japanese filmmaker known for capturing love, social alienation and troubled youth, this film still feels somewhat different from his usual work. It carries more of a Wong Kar-wai touch, both in its storytelling and cinematography.
The central theme of the film, freedom, really moved me. It follows a 20-year-old Japanese college dropout with no clear plans, who simply wants to escape his claustrophobic life and travel to New York, completely unaware of the hazards that await him.
The film critically portrays growth and character development, while offering a raw and realistic depiction of New York City—and how it can truly become a hazard for a vulnerable man.