Princess Raccoon (2005)

Dir. Seijun Suzuki's final film is a vibrant and bonkers spin on a well-known Japanese folktale about a human male and a beautiful shape-shifting tanuki princess. The human (Joe Odagiri) is the son of a Lord, banished from his home on account of being more handsome than his jealous father.
Like the titular princess (Zhang Ziyi) the film isn't fixed in any one particular form. It's varied, a traditional film one minute, a kabuki-esque production the next, or even something resembling a picture book brought to life with the unreality of chroma key occasionally working in its favour! A number of differing musical styles add further strangeness and character.
The trailer should be enough to either intrigue or repel you, so it's perhaps a good idea to check it out before diving into Suzuki's madness feet first.

3½ jewelled tears out of 5

Branded to Kill (1967)

Some folks say that Seijun Suzuki was a rubbish filmmaker, but I'm not one of those people. BTK is a masterful slice of late 60s Yakuza chic as seen by the modernistic mind and surrealistic eye of the director. It’s an odd film packed to bursting point with personality. Suzuki’s framing is beautifully aligned and balanced, even when his crazy storytelling isn't.
It’s the tale of a hired killer, Hanada, who wants to be the number one assassin. If he doesn't screw up, all he needs to do is kill the current number one to claim the title. But who is it? Does he even exist?
Along the way he meets a beautiful female whose allure and thirst for death complicates matters exponentially. And then there's butterflies...

4 warm sniffs out of 5

Tokyo Drifter (1966)

One of the many Yakuza movies made by Japanese filmmaker Seijun Suzuki. It follows 'Phoenix Tetsu' as he tries to leave the lifestyle behind at the behest of his ageing boss. Tetsu becomes the Tokyo Drifer, a loyal associate who frequently whistles his own theme tune.
Seijun was working from a script by Kôhan Kawauchi, but the director’s unique avant-garde aestheticism took over as usual, resulting in an almost incomprehensible plot that nevertheless manages to hold the attention at every twist and turn, in part because of the wild visuals.

3 pale pastel suits out of 5