Shissou: Dead Run
Director/ Screenwriter: SABU
Cast: Yuya Tegoshi, Hanae Kan, Miki Nakatani, Etsushi Toyokawa
Shuji (Yuya Tegoshi) lives in the sleepy town of Shore. One day, when Shuji was still 7 years old, his bicycle breaks down at the side of the road and is offered a ride from two outcasts from Shore, Demonken and his girlfriend. During the ride home, Shuji is touched by Demonken’s kindness. A few days later, the news of Demonken’s sudden and mysterious death reaches Shuji and he is grieved with sadness.
Years later, Shuji is in Junior High. Shuji’s older brother, Shuichi wants to make something of himself, while Shuji is quiet and does not mind his brother getting all the attention in the family. One day, Shuji and his friend finds a small Christian church on the outskirts of town. He also realizes that an isolated girl from his school, Eri (Hanae Kan), visits this church often. Eri’s parent’s had committed suicide, leaving Eri orphaned. After learning of Eri’s sad past, Shuji becomes drawn to her. What also provokes his interest in this church is the priest, Father Yuichi (Etsushi Toyokawa). There were rumors about Yuichi having committed murder.
Meanwhile in the town of shore, there were plans of building luxurious resorts and rich business men were filing into the neighborhood. Property prices were rising high and many of the residents were driven away.
Eri was injured one day on her nightly runs and her aunt and uncle bring her to Tokyo. The resort plans were stopped midway because of economic troubles and the construction was left unfinished.
Shuichi was always the top student in school, however, one day, he gets punished severely for cheating in a prestigious high school and he begins to withdraw himself from society. When no one would talk to him, his becomes emotionally unstable and he vents out his anger by setting buildings on fire. Shuichi was eventually caught by the police and sent to jail. Soon afterwards, Shuji’s parents disappear leaving Shuji all alone.
Father Yuichi tries to takes care of Shuji and keep Shuichi in contact with him, however his attempts were not received. Shuji fell into depression, he brings a piece of glass to his wrist, but alas, he could not bring himself to do it. He suddenly wants to reunite with Eri, and therefore sets off on his journey to find her.
During his journey to Tokyo, Shuji meets an old friend and even loses his virginity to Akane (Miki Nakatani). But under the wrath of Akane’s gangster boyfriend, Nitta (Ren Ohsugi), Shuji commits murder under self-defense. After the crime, Shuji and his friend separate and he was, once again, alone.
Shuji finally finds Eri in Tokyo, and the two are in the same state of despair……
Credits: Horizon Entertainment, The New York Times
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I remember reading even more detailed reviews...but I can't find them anymore...eh...~_~
