Anarchy in Japansuke

A middle-aged man walks up to young man who is sitting under a tree and shoots him. The film then flashes back to 1981, where a young woman steals a car with a baby strapped inside. She decides to raise the child as her own, and teaches him to shoplift from stores while she works as a prostitute. She strikes up a relationship with a convenience-store clerk, and the two eventually settle down together.

Directed by Takahisa Zeze, Anarchy in Japansuke leans on a strong ensemble — Kazuhiro Sano, Yumeka Sasaki, Yoji Tanaka — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 1999.