Sailor Suit and Machine Gun (1981): Whimsy and the Underworld
1981 • Shinji Sōmai • 1.85:1 • Jump to Gallery ↓
While it would be a lie to say that Hiroko Yakushimaru’s sailor suit is not visually iconic, Shinji Somai’s Sailor Suit and Machine Gun is surprisingly light on machine guns. This unconventional blend of the coming-of-age film and the gritty yakuza genre never shies away from violence, yet constantly veers into a whimsical, almost dreamlike world.
The story follows Izumi Hoshi, a teenage schoolgirl who unexpectedly inherits a small, crumbling Yakuza clan. As she attempts to navigate the criminal underworld, she frequently encounters misogynistic men who understand only the language of violence. Sōmai highlights the inherent absurdity of their world by placing this small, colourfully dressed teenager among tall, dark-suited adults.
Beyond the costumes, the film is an intriguing exploration of cinematic style. Shinji Somai made unexpected use of fisheye lenses and long-distance views of Izumi, as well as dark and moody lighting. He took Yakuza archetypes and made them seem outdated when confronted with the fragile yet adorable teenager.
Technical Specs:
- The Story: A high school girl unexpectedly inherits leadership of a yakuza clan, forcing her to navigate criminal power, violence, and responsibility while clinging to her youth and moral uncertainty. Read my review of Sailor Suit and Machine Gun.
- Actors: Hiroko Yakushimaru, Yuki Kazamatsuri, Masaaki Daimon, Shingo Yanagisawa, Shinpei Hayashiya, Minori Terada, Toshiya Sakai.
- Director: Shinji Sōmai
- Year: 2018
- Cinematographer: Seizō Sengen
- Origin: Japanese Cinema
- Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
- Genre: Crime
