Synopsis from Wiki: After graduating from high school in 1996 in Japan, Itō Kaiji moves to Tokyo to get a job, but he fails to find steady employment because the country is mired in its first recession since World War II. Depressed, he festers in his apartment, biding his time with cheap pranks, gambling, liquor and cigarettes. Kaiji is always thinking about money and his perpetual poverty frequently brings him to tears.

Kaiji’s unrelenting misery continues for two years until he is paid an unexpected visit from a man named Endō, who wants to collect an outstanding debt that Kaiji has carelessly co-signed for his former co-worker. Endō gives Kaiji two options – either spend ten years to repay this outstanding debt, or board the gambling ship Espoir (“hope” in French) for one night to clear the debt. Using a con, Endō pressures Kaiji into accepting the deal, believing he will never come back from the voyage.

However, Kaiji survives the gamble and is invited to another gambling night, this time at the Starside Hotel. Although initially wary about the offer, he is spurred by his acquaintance Sahara to go. After being the only survivor of the Human Derby, Kaiji decides to avenge his friends by competing in another gambling match the Teiai Corporation has prepared; E-Card. Kaiji, despite losing an ear, defeats Tonegawa, his opponent in E-Card. He goes all-in once again in a new game. This time, he loses both the money he had won in the E-Card battle and four of his fingers.

Stills:

Live-action Kaiji movie released in 2009 in Japan with Tatsuya Fujiwara playing the role of Kaiji, second part in 2011, Kaiji 2. And as always, there’s also an anime version as well. Very tempted to watch that!

Li Yi Feng as the clown. Like I didn’t recognize him at all until those eyes…. ~

Your director.

A gif of his transformation. 2 hours to put on and 2 hours to erase. O_O

Trailer:

Written and directed by Han Yan (Go Away Mr. Tumour, First Time), Animal World is slotted for next year summer release.

Via: 01