In this rousingly funny and entertaining gangster spoof, a clueless actor is hired to portray a notorious hitman, unaware that the role of his career is deadly real.

Take time out from some of the Festival’s more serious offerings to thoroughly enjoy this hilarious big budget Japanese gangster spoof. Set in a weirdly artificial 1930s Sukago (Chicago), the tale begins when enterprising gangster Bingo (Satoshi Tsumabuki) is caught in flagrante delecto with his crime syndicate boss's girl. When punishment looks like it’s lights out for our handsome hero, the quick-thinking Bingo saves his hide by promising to deliver Della Togashi, the city's legendary but mysterious professional assassin. Not actually knowing the man, Bingo instead hires a vain third-rate actor, Murata, to impersonate the hitman, telling the clueless actor that he is actually starring in an unconventional gangster flick. When the actor swaggers menacingly into the boss’s office as if he owns the place, his over-the-top performance strangely impresses the hard-as-nails gangsters so much that he is hired to knock off a few of the boss’s enemies. Cement shoes seem like footwear of the future for the two as the ruse quickly spirals out of control. This action-packed screwball comedy from comedic director Koki Mitani was a huge box office smash in Japan and is certain to be a hit at the Festival too. (Japanese with English subtitles) -- Raymond Murray