Based on the novel Mibuncho by award winning crime writer Ryuzo Saki, Under the Open Sky recounts the true-life experiences of Akiyoshi Tamura.
Masao Mikami has just been released from a 13-year prison sentence. As an ex-convict he has spent most of his life in and out of jail. With limited skills, he’s entering a changed society where the Yakuza have mostly been outlawed, shunned by society and barred from legitimate jobs. He is out of touch with this new Japan; the new technologies and what he sees as the servile, polite and hypocritical behavior of its citizens.
Koji Yakusho – Tampopo (1985), with a gift for dark humor, gives a towering and emotional performance as the lone wolf ex mob enforcer. He clearly stands out from the crowd as a rough rare breed of a man who takes no crap from anyone. His time in jail hasn’t changed him a bit and he openly denies any feeling of remorse for his murder victim, even as he’s in the process of being released on the last day of his sentence.
He has a righteous heart but is quick tempered and has strong opinions, speaking out when he feels wronged. Even during his trial, he passionately admitted to his desire to kill a rival gang member while defending the honor of a woman, thereby unwittingly sentencing himself to years in prison.
Having served his sentence, reentering the free world and trying to make a new start, some people who are drawn to his earnest nature feel sympathy for him and want to help him get back on his feet. But in a society where ambiguity is an essential form of expression and direct opinions are considered impolite, Masao is frustrated and angered by people who are afraid to speak up or act against injustice.
Masao uses his brawling skills from his days as a mob strongman to mete out punishment to protect those who are being bullied, getting himself into trouble and alienating himself from society in the process. But therein lies his fatal flaw and his most admirable trait. His old-fashioned values won’t allow him to turn away from injustice when he sees it. The brute who survived the violence of the underworld is unable to adjust to normal society where normal means conforming to group consensus and never engaging in arguments or criticism.
People making an honest living are disturbed by his violent rages but he just wants to be appreciated for doing good work and tries his best to fit in and be accepted. He is told not to get involved when seeing others in trouble. Think about yourself and mind your own business. But it’s just not in his nature to look the other way when he sees injustice. Yet, that is exactly what he must do to fit back into a normal life. This turns out to be his biggest challenge and his fatal weakness. He must kill his conscience to live in harmony with today’s world.
Under the Open Sky is especially relevant in today’s social media culture. It makes a powerful comment on our society where we are rewarded for being selfish and we are not truly free to speak our mind or be authentic for fear of being condemned, rejected or ostracized by society.
JP
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