When your dad's pachinko empire falls apart, the real gamble is what you'll do with a broken watch.
Tatsuo, the son of the owner of a pachinko chain that is quietly operating in the countryside, moved to Tokyo with the aim of becoming an actor, but never budded, and he played with money sent by his father, Zennosuke. One day, Tatsuo receives a call saying that Zennosuke has gone missing. The person who called was Kasumi (Masami Ichikawa), Tatsuo's childhood friend who was entrusted with the manager of a pachinko parlor.
Acting
Masami Ichikawa carries the emotional weight surprisingly well.
Production
Pachinko parlor as character — neon-soaked purgatory.
Director
Chuichi Takaoka
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Pachinko parlors occupy a legal gray zone in Japan — gambling for prizes, not cash, making them perfect symbols of hollow aspiration.
Director Chuichi Takaoka reportedly shot this in 8 days at an actual operating pachinko parlor, explaining the documentary-like grime.
JP
