Police Take on The Yakuza

[Mulboyne]

Asahi: Police video cuts yakuza chivalry
Masataka Yabu...the Fukuoka prefectural police superintendent, is a veteran in the real-life battle against organized crime. He was so frustrated with the glorification of the underworld in movies and manga that he and police colleagues in this Kyushu city decided to set the record straight--on video. As their police-produced video, "Yurusarezaru Mono" (The Unforgivables) points out, there is no such thing as gangster chivalry...The drama was written, starred in and produced by Fukuoka prefectural police. Thirty cast members, crew and others worked on the production during their off-hours from active police duty...The cast members all have the look down pat. It's hard to believe these toughs are all amateur actors--and police officers, too. The gang boss is played by 53-year-old Takanobu Kurata, an assistant inspector for the Kita-Kyushu city police force. "It is really difficult getting into the role," he said, perspiring from the effort. "I need to roll all the words that begin with 'r'"...more...

[Sarutaro]

Sounds interesting. I'd really like to see it. Must at least be better than those damned "mystery" dramas on TV.

[Visitor K]

probably not really a huge stretch in terms of method acting..
my roommate found a 15 year old kid breaking into our house last weekend, and when the cops came he said they were talking to the kid like a bunch of yakuza thugs.

[jingai]

It's hard to believe these toughs are all amateur actors--and police officers, too.

Echoing Visitor K's point, I don't think you could find anyone better for the roles than the cops.

I think this is an interesting twist on the jitsuroku "documentary-style" yakuza movie- instead of having real life yakuza play some of the roles, have the cops do it.

Also, if you haven't seen Fukasaku Kinji's "Cops vs Thugs" (Kenkei tai soushiki bouryoku) I recommend it.