Miike's 'Bad Lieutenant' Trades God for Nature

Takashi Miike's "Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo," premiering at the Toronto Film Festival, redefines the franchise's core question. Unlike previous installments that grappled with religious guilt, Miike introduces a new framework rooted in Japanese spirituality and a deep reverence for nature.

Miike explains that Japanese spirituality involves a profound, almost fearful respect for nature, which shapes the narrative. The film follows Lieutenant Yabuki, a detective battling drug addiction and gambling debts, as he partners with an FBI agent to track a Yakuza-linked killer. Yabuki's character is presented as representative of men who gradually absorb the pervasive corruption around them.

The director suggests that effective policing sometimes necessitates immersion in the underworld. Miike agrees that organizations investigating crime inevitably become tainted by their environment, especially when infiltrating criminal elements. This leads to a structural corrosion impacting individuals like Lieutenant Yabuki.

Miike chose actor Oguri Shun for his willingness to defy expectations, contrasting with actors who prioritize maintaining a popular image. This marks their fourth collaboration, building on Oguri's diverse career including Shakespearean theater. Lily James, cast before Oguri, brought a mild-mannered yet passionate approach to her volatile role, adapting to the Japanese film set.

While violence has been a recurring theme in Miike's work, his focus has shifted from imagery to the psychology of those perpetrating it. He aims to push characters beyond conventional limits, suggesting that a protagonist's expression of power could lead to a calm family drama if violence wasn't their chosen path.

Producer Sam Pressman describes the "Bad Lieutenant" franchise as an "anti-franchise franchise," granting directors significant creative freedom. Miike confirms experiencing extensive liberty throughout the production, from scriptwriting to editing, with his sensibilities highly respected.

Miike envisions future "Bad Lieutenant" films in diverse international settings, such as France or South America. Despite the global scale of his recent work, he still identifies as a low-budget filmmaker, valuing the passion and energy of crews in resource-limited environments.

He acknowledges that age has naturally slowed his pace but expresses a desire for massive budgets, though such opportunities are rare. The film also stars Kunimura Jun, Mamiya Shôtarô, Kouri Yuka, Nakata Hideo, Murakami Jun, Iwata Takanori, and WWE star Liv Morgan.