An action-packed slog

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

This interesting Japanese film from 1969 (a Cuban-Japanese co production, shot in black and white), has a minimal plot dealing with a Japanese man called Akira (he is a sailor, though we never see him near a ship, and is played by Masahiko Tsugawa) cruising the country, sightseeing and flirting with girls in a reasonably good Spanish. He finally gets the attention of one Marcia (Obdulia Plasencia), a somewhat cold, politicized, moderately pretty girl. She allows him to follow her around, but doesn't believe he is revolutionary enough for her.The movie includes a lot of documentary style footage of Cuba, including segments of speeches by Fidel Castro and Che Guevara, in a moment, ten years after the Cuban revolution, when the revolutionary process is in full swing and the country is in a very regimented, militarized phase. A lot of the dialogue is a bit too didactic, praising the Cuban revolution and its triumphs. Directed by Kazuo Kuroki.