Blood and Bones

Aroview: Harrowing biopic about the life and times of an infamous first-generation Korean immigrant who came to Japan in the 1920s and by dint of his violent, abusive ways, managed to create a street-level empire by taking over a fish-paste roll factory in Osaka.

Played with glinting evil by 'Beat' Takashi, the central protagonist displays a casual brutality over his family (even raping his wife in front of his children) and over the decades manages to draw numerous acquaintances and employees into the web of his downtrodden neighbourhood. As a study in malice, this is gripping stuff, and while the running time is a little tiring, the tragic undertone is impeccably sustained. Based on the semi-autobiographical novel by Yang Sok Gil.