SWORD OF DESPERATION
DIRECTOR: HIDEYUKI HIRAYAMA
JAPAN, 2010
Kanemi Sanzawon (Etsushi Toyokawa) lives a quiet life as a samurai. His reputation is unblemished, his skill as a swordsman unmatched, and his home life peaceful, his days spent taking care of his late wife’s niece. Until one day, the tranquility of Sanzawon’s life is shattered when he kills the poisonous mistress of his powerful daimyo. Death by execution seems the inevitable punishment for his crime, but unexpectedly Sanzawon receives a light sentence: one year of isolated imprisonment. When Sanzawon returns to his clan, his seeming good luck continues: he is hired to serve as the daimyo’s assistant and must use his unique sword-fighting skills to protect the daimyo from a rival who threatens to overthrow him. (114 mins.)