I have been waiting for this sucker to cross overseas for over two years now, ever since this film was released in Japan and went on to be nominated for 13 Japanese Academy Awards. The film, from master director Yôji Yamada, is Love and Honor, the third in a loose and unrelated “period samurai trilogy.”

These are not action samurai pictures by any means. They are slow-paced, reflective, masterfully-woven character studies with gorgeous visuals, a somber atmosphere, and some of Japan’s best working actors. Here’s the synopsis for Love and Honor from Amazon:

Shinnojo is a low-level samurai bored with his assignment as a food-taster for his emperor. Like any young husband, Shinnojo shares his work frustrations at home with his wife, Kayo, and dreams of resigning his post to start a dojo that will teach fighting skills to kids in a positive environment. … Everything changes, however, when Shinnojo eats some bad shellfish intended for the emperor – so bad that it leaves him permanently blind. Feeling useless and facing an uncertain future, Shinnojo experiences grief and anger. Meanwhile, Kayo appeals to his family for help and is only advised to seek assistance from another samurai, a man with dubious intentions toward Kayo. The fallout deeply affects Shinnojo and Kayo’s marriage, and gives the former a new reason to carry on: defending his and Kayo’s honor.

If you’re a fan of Yamada’s other films, I’d head over to Amazon and pre-order this sucker which comes out on November 11. If you haven’t seen Yamada’s other films… well, what are you waiting for?

In 2002, he directed The Twilight Samurai, a film I wouldn’t hesitate to throw on any top ten of the decade list. The film follows another low-ranking widower samurai named Seibei (nicknamed by his peers the Twilight Samurai because of his inglorious life), who on top of his duties to feudal Japan, he has to work in the fields in order to provide for his two daughters and his senile mother. When an old childhood love divorces her brutal samurai husband, Seibei thinks he may have hope for love again – that is until he is all but forced to pick up his sword once again. Check it out over at Amazon.

Two years later, he followed this up with The Hidden Blade, which touched on a lot of similar themes, had even more stunning visuals, just as much emotional punch, and a brilliant, jaw-dropping climax. You can purchase it on Amazon right this way.