Pale Flower

Ryô Ikebe is the epitome of cool in this black and white crime thriller from director Masahiro Shinoda. He plays a gangster named Muraki fresh out of prison after three years served for killing a rival gang member. Uncertain whether he wants to get back into the life that sent him to prison, Muraki spends his nights in smoky illegal gambling, more for the thrill of the game than for the money he wins. One night he meets a mysterious beauty (Mariko Kaga) with a hunger for thrills that matches his own. When the boss approaches Muraki with a job that could send him back to prison – or to an early grave — he accepts it and takes the woman along for the ride.