An unsolved murder leads to despair and salvation in ‘The Brightest Sun’
A pair of private investigators probes the murder of a colleague in Tetsuya Nakashima's challenging but rewarding film.
In the early 2010s, Japanese filmmaker Tetsuya Nakashima emerged as a provocative force reminiscent of Nicolas Winding Refn, known for his violent and hyperstylized depictions of nihilism. After a hiatus of eight years, Nakashima returned with "The Brightest Sun," his first feature film in that span. The director, most celebrated for "Confessions" (2010) and "The World of Kanako" (2014), aimed to deliver his most daring and hopeful work yet.
The film opens with a bleak tone, thrusting viewers into the heart of despair. Hidetoshi Nishijima portrays Mitsuo, a private investigator notorious for his heavy drinking habits. His latest case involves the murder of former colleague Yoichi, played by Jiro Sato. Alongside Mitsuo is Satoko, a trainee investigator portrayed by Hikari Mitsushima. Much like her mentor, Satoko is far from ideal, adding a layer of dysfunction to the already grim narrative.
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