Not sure whether he's being ignored or simply forgotten, but Kumakiri is one of Japan's most capable directors when it comes to dark drama. A hidden gem whose oeuvre is well worth exploring, but his work isn't that easy to dig up.
Rare treats
With a superb soundtrack, two killer leads and some visual punch he delivers a film that has the power to linger. That is, if you can stomach what Kumakiri has to show.
The good stuff
Freesia: Icy Tears
Hole in the Sky
Hole In The Sky is slow-paced cinema. There isn't much happening in terms of dramatic events, the characters are rigid and introvert and odd behavior is often taken for granted.
Kumakiri is back on track. Mukoku is a powerful drama mixed with strong genre elements (in the form of Kendo). The acting is superb, the film looks lush and the score is a real asset. Not as subtle as you may expect from a Japanese drama, but not worse for it.
Solid pieces
The End of Summer
Sketches of Kaitan City
Green Mind, Metal Bats
The inoffensive
The Volatile Woman
Worthy but flawed
The Ravaged House - Zoroku's Disease
