Black Society Trilogy

Triple bill of Japanese crime dramas directed by Takashi Miike. In 'Shinjuku Triad Society' (1995), when the Dragon's Claw gang from Taiwan attempts a take-over of the dope, extortion and prostitution rackets run by the ruling Japanese Yakuza, a lone cop predicts carnage. In a crusade against the gangs, the cop single-handedly attempts to stem the growing tide of violence. But, when he discovers that the cop's younger brother is in fact the lover of one of the gang leaders, chaos ensues. 'Rainy Dog' (1997) follows Yuuji (Shô Aikawa), a Japanese mobster holed up in Taipei working as a hitman for a Triad boss. Added to this complicated existence is the fact that his ex-wife has just dumped a young boy on his doorstep. As Yuuji continues to do business as usual, only a final, brutal shoot-out will bring him and the boy closer together. Finally, in 'Ley Lines' (1999), three boys attracted by the excitement of Tokyo city find themselves caught up in the notorious Shinjuku district and a gangster lifestyle they can't escape. Before long they find themselves on the wrong side of the local crime lord and start fearing for their lives.