Tokyo Fist (1995) [full]

Tsuda, a burnt-out salaryman, becomes increasingly alienated by the emptiness and endless repetition of his existence. When he suspects that his wife is having an affair with his friend Takuji, a boxer, he clings to the idea that the only way to take revenge is by defeating Takuji in the ring. His urge to physically dominate his friend takes on an increasingly obsessive character, while every punch, every blow, and every training session contributes to his own downfall.

In an expressionistic style, with claustrophobic, delirious imagery, Shinya Tsukamoto creates an animistic (body) horror. Tokyo Fist(1995) shows how toxic masculinity and the inability to express emotions can lead to pure (self-)destruction. Masterfully, he translates the experience of alienation and physical and mental decay into visual form.

This film is part of De Uitkijk’s TOTAL DESTRUCTION! series, in which everything—mentally, physically, or emotionally—is spectacularly destroyed.

The people at de Uitkijk have kindly offered a limited amount of free tickets for Subbacultcha members. Please make a reservation by sending an email to mailinglist@subbacultcha.nl with “Tokyo Fist” in the subject line + your name in the email.