Fridae

Murder of the Inugami Clan is, without a doubt, the best film of the week. Directed by the late and esteemed Kon Ichikawa, this is a complex and well-crafted murder mystery that will have you guessing at every turn.

Based on the classic novel which had already been adapted a number of times, it tells the tale of the Inugami family whose dying patriarch has left all his wealth to a young woman. Suspecting foul play, a detective is called upon to investigate the matter. Soon enough, the clues and the dead bodies start to pile up...

Director Kon Ichikawa directed the film very meticulously, such that every tatami mat was placed where it should be, and every nuance of emotion from the characters hit the right note. Kon had actually directed an earlier version of the film in 1976, so he clearly knew the story well enough to bring a crisp and fresh perspective to it.

A must-see for cineastes, film students and fans of austere Japanese dramas. And a fitting final film for Kon Ichikawa who died earlier this year.