Pigs and Battleships (1961)

In the bustling hub of Yukosuka, the establishment of an American naval base in the aftermath of war has become a lucrative prospect for many, both within and outside the law. Amidst this chaotic scene is Kinta, a low-ranking enforcer in the Himori yakuza, tasked with overseeing their pig farm. However, his role extends beyond the farm, serving as a muscleman, ensuring shopkeepers who profit from the booming American military trade pay their dues to the yakuza. Promises of recognition, bonuses and promotion are continuously dangled before Kinta, urging him to sacrifice more for the organization. Despite this, his girlfriend Haruko, a barmaid, despises his lifestyle. She dreams of them leaving Yukosuka and finding honest work in her uncle's factory in Kawasaki, an idea Kinta staunchly resists, unwilling to trade his freedom for the shackles of a "wage slave". Haruko faces her own struggles, as her mother persistently pushes her towards a life of prostitution, with Mr. Gordon, a high-paying suitor, eager to make her his mistress. The intertwined fates of Kinta and Haruko will be swayed by a whirlwind of events: a power struggle within the yakuza, Kinta's allies who might betray him for their own gain, his ailing boss, Tetsuji, convinced of his impending death, and Himori, the ruthless yakuza leader, determined to maintain his grip on power at any cost.

Pigs and Battleships is a comedy movie featuring Hiroyuki Nagato.

Pigs and Battleships is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.